Indonesia Promotes Films to Preserve Historical Memory

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia's Ministry of Culture is promoting film as a medium to strengthen the nation's collective memory and bring stories of heroism closer to younger generations. Minister of Culture Fadli Zon made the statement during a media briefing on the National Heroic Film Production Competition in Jakarta on Friday evening, September 4, 2026.

Fadli said historical stories should be presented through films that are relevant, inspiring, accessible, creative, research-based, and historically accurate. He believes cinema can help audiences better understand important moments in Indonesia's history while preserving the values of heroism and national identity.

The initiative is part of the Ministry of Culture's efforts to bring Indonesia's history of the struggle for independence to contemporary audiences through cinema. The program also seeks to strengthen the national film ecosystem, particularly the development of films portraying stories of heroism.

“This will help strengthen the national film industry, provide broad economic benefits, and create space for synergy and collaboration among filmmakers, historians, academics, and industry players,” the minister said.

The ministry is focusing on the period from 1945 to 1950, when Indonesia continued its struggle to defend its newly proclaimed independence. This period included the First and Second Dutch Military Aggressions, the establishment of the United States of Indonesia, and Indonesia's return to the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia in 1950.

Fadli noted that historians have extensively documented this period, but written accounts may not always reach or engage today's audiences. He said adapting these stories into films could make Indonesian history easier to understand and more relevant to younger generations.

“When these stories are made into films, they will certainly become more interesting, while the values of heroism, exemplary conduct, struggle, and the drama surrounding the war to defend independence remain relevant,” he said.

The competition received 143 proposals involving more than 420 producers, directors, and screenwriters, with seven feature-film winners and 13 short-film winners selected. Fadli said the strong participation reflects the film industry's commitment to telling stories of national struggle while promoting Indonesia's culture and history.