Islamic Films in Indonesia:

A Highlight
Eric Sasono
January 2012
Hua Hin International Film Festival
Islamic Films?
Islamic films in Indonesia compared to other
religious films
Different than hagiography (chronicles of
apostles and saints), because Islam does not
acknowledge any apostles and saints;




Islamic Films?
Different than iconography (depiction of
religious symbols) because Islam knows no
religious relics;
Islamic Films?
Muslim Social
Depiction of Muslim in his / her everyday life;
Highly-related to performativity, or how one
behaves in front of others;
Islamic characteristic as a social borderline
to define ones existence;
Islamic Films?
Portrayal of pious
Muslims
Islamic attire / jilbab
as part of statement
as oppose to secular /
westernized clothing;

Islamic lifestyle:
taaruf rather than
making out;


Islamic Films?
Portrayal of pious
Muslims
Islam-based attitude
towards wealth: ikhtiar
(efforts) and tawakal
(religious persistency)
in pursuing wealth;

Islamic reform: Islam
as a solution for socio-
political problems;


Why Islamic Films?
Indonesia is predominantly a Muslim country,
240 million population with over 80% Muslim;
Bigger context: the raising awareness of religious
standardization of consumption (halal industry);
Middle-class Muslim in Indonesia, whose growth
is supported by consumer-based economy;
Precursors: nasyid Islami (Islamic acapela), Islamic
TV soap opera, Islamic chick-lit., etc.

General characteristics
Lifestyle, rather than social criticism or socially-
relevant films;
Middle-class issues;
Non-political standpoints;
High concern over personal welfare and social
status;
Adherence to Islam as additional tool for social
climbing being a pious Muslim is cool;
A shift on abroad experience as social status
symbol: from America to Egypt.

Exceptions
Social criticism:
Perempuan Berkalung
Surban (A Veiled
Woman), Doa Yang
Mengancam (A
Threatening Prayer)
Hanung Bramantyo;


Exceptions
Political stance: Sang
Pencerah (The
Enlightened One), ?
(Question Mark)
Hanung Bramantyo.

Exceptions
Laskar Pelangi
(Rainbow Troops),
Rindu Purnama, nave
portrayal of poverty
and social problems
Mizan Production
Why Islamic Films?
The most-watched films each year 2008-2011
are Islamic films;
2008: Laskar Pelangi (Rainbow Troops) and
Ayat-ayat Cinta (Verses of Love);
2009: Ketika Cinta Bertasbih 1 & 2 (When Love
Glorifies God 1 and 2);
2010: Sang Pencerah (The Enlightened One)
and Dalam Mihrab Cinta (In the Niche of Love)


Why Islamic Films?
Audience of Ketika Cinta Bertasbih
Why Islamic Films?
Political significance
Endorsement from Islamic political leaders
cultural strategy;
Mainstreaming of scriptural Islamic lifestyles:
More formalistic and less substantive
representation of Islam;
Less tolerant to multiculturalism and diversity;

Endorsement from Islamic Political Leader
Ketika Cinta Bertasbih as
high-quality and
dignified film;
The audience that flocked
the cinema as am evidence
of public inclination towards
high-quality and
dignified film;
Let just see the high-
quality and dignified
films