Edwin Participant of L’Atelier 2010

Every year, a new generation blooms in Cannes. The Cinéfondation’s ‘L’Atelier’ is one of the Festival’s initiatives to help young directors develop and promote their future projects. One of the selected filmmakers is Edwin, who is ethnically Chinese but lives in Indonesia. Hostility towards the Chinese community seems to be a dramatic problem in his country: one which led to a bizarre yet deeply emotional and humanistic debut feature, Blind Pig who Wants to Fly. After winning the FIPRESCI Award at the 2009 International Film Festival Rotterdam, he is now working on a new film, Postcards from the Zoo.

You first studied graphic design, then filmmaking. What made you change your mind and go this way?

Originally I wanted to study animation, but there were no schools offering it in Indonesia at the time. At the university in my hometown, Surabaya, graphic design was the closest thing, in terms of something to satisfy my interest and passion for visual imagery. I have always loved animation and films. When I found out that there was a film school in Jakarta, I packed my bags and left Surabaya.

When working on Blind Pig did you stick to the script or leave room for improvisation?

Just the other day, I was going through the very first version of the script, and I was amused that the finished film actually did not stray far from that first script, although in the process there was quite a lot of improvisation, depending on the mood and ambience of the shooting and the editing process.

What sort of feedback do you have from people who are not directly affected by the social issues shown in the film?

Although most foreigners didn’t quite catch the cultural references or understand the background (Indonesian social history), many understood and identified with the overall feeling of alienation. And that’s important to me: when the film is liberated from having to explain any facts or history or background, it independently expresses a strong feeling of confusion, unease, restlessness and even fear. Those feelings are universal; they can be caused by racism, or anything else.

Blind Pig follows several characters, but Postcards from the Zoo will focus on one protagonist, Lana. How was she developed as a character?

This is a subtle coming of age story, and it is her story. Firstly, it was about a 3-year-old girl left alone at the zoo. Then it became many other things, especially her longing to be touched.

Who plays the part and how do you choose your actors?

Ladya Cheryl, who played Linda in Blind Pig, will play the lead again, as Lana. The rest of the cast has not been determined. For me, choosing actors is a simple story. I need to see their trust in the film that we are about to make together.

What is your opinion about the film festivals in Indonesia?

The FFI (Film Festival Indonesia), which is organized by the Government and was recently supported by a commercial TV station, is a joke. They are trying to make some sort of Indonesian Academy Awards, and it is a stupid effort. There are so many things wrong with it, beginning from the technicality of entries. Meanwhile, the Jakarta International Film Festival, Konfiden Short Film Festival, Jogja Netpac Asian Film Festival, Purbalingga Film Festival, Jogja Documentary Film Festival, all offer a much more fresh educational experience. These festivals contribute something to the scope and outlook of Indonesian audiences and filmmakers, opening up their eyes. They are unsung heroes, who offer motivation and optimism.

Do you read film criticism?

Not really. Maybe if someone emails me a review, I will read it.

What is your relationship with Indonesian critics?

There aren’t that many critics in Indonesia: I know less than 5. I know them well.

A personal film like Blind Pig who Wants to Fly is touching, but doesn’t do well on the commercial side. Is the new one going in a different direction?

Well, maybe all I am doing this time is making a film that I can invite my parents to come and see in the theatre.

By Andreea Dobre


SEE A VIDEO OF EDWIN PLAYING IT COOL ON THE BEACH

YOU CAN ALSO READ A REVIEW OF BLIND PIG WHO WANTS TO FLY ON OUR BLOG