Indonesia’s censors have banned four films from an international film festival to be held in the capital of Jakarta, citing fears that they could create instability.
Organizers of the festival, to be held from Dec. 8 to 17th, revealed Saturday the government has prohibited the documentary The Black Road, American journalist William Nessen’s documentary about the 30-year separatist conflict in the Aceh region of Indonesia that has killed 15,000 people.
The militant Islamic group Free Aceh Movement signed a peace agreement last year, spurred by the massive tsunami of Dec. 26, 2004 that left almost 200,000 people in Aceh dead.
"Aceh nowadays is good," said Titie Said, chair of the Indonesian Censor Film Board. "With the situation like this, will we want to change it?"
Nessen, who has been barred from entering Aceh, was sentenced to time in prison in 2003 after a court found him guilty of violating Indonesia’s immigration regulations.
Banned films include a 12-minute cartoon
The censors have also prohibited three films focusing on East Timor: Tales of Crocodiles from the Netherlands; Passabe from Singapore and a 12-minute piece of animation about the country’s history called Timor Loro Sae, from Portugal.
Censors say they fear the films could affect ties with East Timor, which voted for independence from Indonesia in 1999.
"They are worried it could trigger problems," said the festival’s program manager, Lalu Roisamri.
However, A Hero's Journey, about the life of East Timorese President Xanana Gusmao, was passed. The 80-minute documentary is narrated by Gusmao, who led East Timor's fight for separation from Indonesia.
The eighth annual Jakarta International Film Festival will feature 250 movies from more than 35 countries.
Last Updated: Saturday, November 25, 2006 | 4:37 PM ET
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/film/story/2006/11/25/indonesia-films-banned.html?ref=rss#skip300x250
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