The Revival of Cinematic Poetry: A Note on the Launch of an Anthology of Poetry on Film
Launch of the poetry collection Kebangkitan in Jakarta.
I received an invitation to attend the launch of the book "Kebangkitan" in Jakarta a few days ago. I couldn't attend because I had to cover the costs myself, and I didn't have the money for plane tickets, accommodation, and meals. In the past, if I received an invitation like this, I would attend, and the rewards from my Steemit posts helped cover the travel costs.
Steem prices were still high back then. We hope to return to ATH.
Since I couldn't attend, I wrote a review of the book, in which I also wrote two poems, one of which I've already posted here. The second poem will also be posted again. But first, read this review.
Invited to a book launch in Jakarta, but I couldn't attend..
In a Jakarta cinema, a pair of teenagers were noisy throughout the screening. They commented on various aspects of the film playing on the big screen. Each comment often ended with a choked laugh. The boy was heard asking his friend for the remote control to change the channel. Even after leaving the studio, they continued to imitate the film's dialogue while laughing, this time more freely.
That was the fate of the poetic film "The Tree of Life," which was shown in several cinemas in Indonesia at the end of 2011. The disappointment of young audiences seemed to be represented by the pair of teenagers. However, several reviews in mainstream media praised the film, which they considered poetically presented through visuals, rather than through dialogue as is typical of most films.
Although many observers disagreed, "The Tree of Life," starring Brad Pitt, was indeed a competition film, having won the prestigious Palme d'Or, or Golden Palm, at the Cannes Film Festival, which earned it massive publicity and encouraged moviegoers to attend. But that's how it is—much like books—films that win awards from the jury have not yet received a positive response from audiences.
Critics consider The Tree of Life an experimental film that presents a poem about life. Audiences are unfamiliar with such work and need time to appreciate it. However, therein lies the strength—and weakness—of an experimental film.
When films are viewed solely as entertainment, viewers experience only superficial and fleeting pleasure. No lasting impressions or imagination are left.
A number of authors of the book Resurrection, ranging from writers to film artists.
Boundless Imagination
Poetry cannot be treated simply as entertainment. It differs from film, which can be experienced with all the senses simultaneously. Poetry provides a broader scope for interpreting meaning and opens the door to limitless imagination, unfettered by visual boundaries.
The two are works of art that cannot be contrasted; in fact, they inspire each other, as is evident in the film-themed poetry anthology "Kebangkitan" (Resurrection), published by the Bandung Film Forum.
This second film-themed anthology since 2012 contains 66 poems. They include not only works by poets and journalists, but also by film professionals, from actors and actresses to producers. All of them pour their imaginations into poems about film from various perspectives.
One poet portrays a classic film title through verses, describing scenes and dialogue from the film, excerpts of which have gone viral on various social media platforms. Perhaps the poet is not recalling the film itself, but rather depicting the journey of human love in a broader sense. Not just a film title, even a single scene sometimes represents a human journey, such as the film "The Tree of Life," which explores the search for God and the meaning of life.
There are also poems depicting the lives of film actors struggling to become other people and falling in love on set. The poet may be referring to the actual actors in the film, but he may also be describing life from a different perspective, as life itself is a series of films, with each person acting as an actor, while God is the director.
Other poems evoke the atmosphere of a cinema and compare it to the world of cinema in the past. Others touch on various ideas that can be explored in the national film industry. Indonesia possesses a rich culture and regional stories that serve as a never-ending source of inspiration.
The poet also reminds us of this ocean of inspiration through his verses. This book seems to remind us that the richness of Nusantara's culture will never run out, as it can be portrayed in film. As stated by the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Fadli Zon, this richness of customs and culture is not only part of strengthening the entertainment industry but also strengthens national identity.
A Moment of Collaboration
The presence of this poetry collection is not merely a short-lived creative fad; published, discussed, and then forgotten. Kebangkitan should leave a strong aesthetic, cultural, and reflective mark. The union of two art forms in an anthology energizes creativity and fosters collaboration between literature and cinema. Poets can capture visual beauty in words, while filmmakers can absorb poetic sensitivity in film storytelling.
The diverse artists united in Kebangkitan can see this as a moment for mutual inspiration. Film becomes a source of inspiration for poetry, and poetry becomes a source of ideas for film. This marriage creates a creative ecosystem that fosters perspectives on the art of storytelling.
Kebangkitan, based on a poem by Putu Wijaya, reminds us that film is not simply a pleasurable spectacle, but can also be a space for reflection, seeking deeper meaning and exploring the inner riches contained in every word and stanza. Kebangkitan strengthens appreciation for film, especially films with poetic and philosophical nuances.
As far as research is concerned, film-themed anthologies are still very rare in Indonesia. Therefore, it is hoped that Kebangkitan (Resurrection) will not be merely an experiment in forced artistic matchmaking, but will pave the way for the birth of a new genre of collaboration and synergy in cinematic poetry. This opens up the possibility that poetry can emerge from anywhere, including the world of film. And film can emerge from anywhere, including the world of poetry.[]
Yessy Gusman, a top Indonesian artist in the 1990s. Co-wrote a poem in the book of "Kebangkitan".
Thank so much @sualeha