Documentary Screening and Discussion “Eksil”
December 3 @ 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Background
Indonesian renown filmmaker Lola Amaria’s latest documentary “Eksil” (The exiles) has attracted much public and media attention in Indonesia, Europe and Australia for its highlighting one of the darkest chapters of Indonesian history. Now officially recognized as one of the twelve serious human rights violation the country still has to account for, the 1965-1966 anti-Communist crackdown following the military take-over of President Suharto caused the death of an estimated one million people. Indonesian service bond students (MAHID) sent to study abroad to socialist nations by the deposed former President Sukarno and its Cabinet, of which the Indonesian Communist Party (Partai Komunis Indonesia or PKI) was part, also became unexpected victims as they were barred from returning to their homeland, left stranded overseas.
Through a series of intimate interviews, the two-hour documentary explores the stories and the despair of ten of these Indonesian exiles who had to survive as stateless people in Europe for the past 60 years amid an enduring desire to find a way home. They symbolize thousands who shared their fate and fell victim to violence, their suffering passed down through generations to their descendants. While they search for a way home, the next generation seeks freedom from fear.
A week from Human Rights Day, on Tuesday 3 December 2024 at 5.30-8 pm, SEA Junction will showcase Eksil at the Auditorium, 5th Floor, BACC as a reminder of the ripple effects of historical upheaval that span generations and how those born long after the pivotal moment are left to piece together a forgotten history. The film, in Indonesian with English subtitles, gained a major reception and won Best Film at the Indonesia Screen Awards by Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival 2022 and Best Feature Documentary at Festival Film Indonesia 2023. The director Lola Amaria will be present, introduce the documentary and interact with the public at the Q & A session.
For more background information on the documentary please see the English-language reviews below:
- https://www.insideindonesia.org/archive/articles/film-review-inheriting-collective-memories-through-eksil
- https://www.orange-glasses.com/eksil-movie-review/
Speaker Bio
Lola Amaria is an actress and film maker and producer who is concerned with the issue of minority and human rights. Lola began her film career in the early 2000s and has since produced a diverse body of work, including Betina from 2006, Minggu Pagi di Victoria Park from 2009, Sanubari Jakarta from 2012, Kisah 3 Titik from 2013, Negeri Tanpa Telinga from 2014, Ineriefrom 2014, Jingga from 2016, Labuan Hati from 2017, Lima from 2018, and 6,9 Detik from 2019.
For information/reservation for our events please email: info@seajunction.org, write to our social media channels or phone/wa: +66970024140
NB: The event is free, but donations are welcome to help us recover some of the costs.
Organizer
SEA Junction, established under the Thai non-profit organization Foundation for Southeast Asia Studies (ForSEA), aims to foster understanding and appreciation of Southeast Asia in all its socio-cultural dimensions, from arts and lifestyles to economy and development. Conveniently located at Room 407-8 of the Bangkok Arts and Culture Center or BACC (across MBK, BTS National Stadium), SEA Junction facilitates public access to knowledge resources and exchanges among students, practitioners and Southeast Asia lovers. More information at http://seajunction.org/.
