On Thursday, 13 June 2024, Ambassador Dato' Azhar Mazlan and To’ Puan Amelia Amani attended the ASEAN Movie Night at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia. Mr. Rahmat Hindiarta, Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy, encouraged Pakistani filmmakers to ‘Look East’ and explore the potentials of the creative economy in Indonesia and the ASEAN region. He expressed these remarks during the event, which featured the award-winning Indonesian film “Ngeri-Ngeri Sedap” (Missing Home), directed by Bene Dion Rajagukguk. The event was organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in collaboration with the ASEAN Committee in Islamabad (ACI). Members of the Diplomatic Corps and ASEAN Heads of Mission/Charge d'Affaires were also in attendance.
The evening was a delightful fusion of cinema and cuisine, celebrating the rich cultural ties and similarities between Indonesia and Pakistan. Mr. Hindiarta elaborated on the immense economic potential of Indonesia's creative industry, stating that the film industry is the fastest-growing sub-sector of the country's creative economy. He highlighted that in 2023, more than 55 million moviegoers in Indonesia helped the local film industry set a new record with 20 films attracting over 1 million viewers each.
The event began with a screening of a video on the ASEAN Summit 2023, held in the enchanting paradise of Labuan Bajo, one of Indonesia’s ten new "Balis." This was followed by the screening of “Ngeri-Ngeri Sedap,” which provided a cinematic treat showcasing Indonesia’s perfect blend of humor, ideal parenting, local wisdom, mutual respect, morality, cultural richness, and the natural beauty of its landscape.
The audience also savored a variety of Indonesian dishes, including bakso, chicken satay, and onde-onde (glutinous rice ball dessert), adding to the cultural experience of the evening.
