Minister Fadli Zon Promotes Historical Films to Introduce Indonesia

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia's Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, has encouraged the development of historical films as a way to introduce Indonesia’s history and historical figures to a wider audience. He said films can serve as an effective medium for making history more accessible, particularly to younger generations.

He made the remarks during the launch of the first five volumes of Indonesian History Book, National Dynamics in the Global Current in Jakarta on Monday, August 31, 2026. The Minister said the historical series could also serve as a source of inspiration for developing films about important events in Indonesia’s history.

“This can also become a source of inspiration. We also want to develop the genre of films related to history,” Fadli said.

According to him, historical films can introduce a nation, historical figures, and major events to audiences in a more engaging way. He pointed to the United States, where films about World War II continue to be produced decades after the war took place.

The Minister further said the development of Indonesian historical films could also cover the stories of national figures and important events throughout the country’s history. He cited films about Mahatma Gandhi as an example of how cinema can help audiences understand a historical figure’s philosophy and life background.

“Through films, it is one of the easiest ways to introduce our history,” Fadli said. He added that films should not only serve as entertainment, but also as a means of education and learning for the public.

In addition to films, he said Indonesian history needs to be presented in various formats to make it more accessible to younger generations. The newly launched Indonesian History: National Dynamics in the Global Current series includes photographs, graphics, and illustrations, and is also available to the public through a digital platform.

Fadli conveyeed that the book series provides a broad overview of Indonesian history, spanning from around 1.8 million years ago to the present day. He stressed that the series is not intended to cover every aspect of Indonesia’s history, but rather to provide a foundation for further research and future historical works.