'FILM PESANTREN' Roadshow to 10 Pesantren in Java Island, Daily Life Story of the Santri

Kapanlagi.com - In the month of Ramadan 2022, Yayasan Bumi Kaya Lestari collaborates with Lola Amaria Production (LAP) and Shalahuddin Siregar as the director and producer of the film titled FILM PESANTREN, supported by PT.Telkom Indonesia and Telkomsel, will be roadshowing and screening Film Pesantren in 10 pesantren in Java Island. The screening of the film in 10 pesantren will be the first activity in Indonesia that will bring a film to tour pesantren during the month of Ramadan and will be witnessed by thousands of santri.

This activity aims to make films part of the learning system, explore creative potential among santri, and strengthen the view of pesantren as a place for the play of Islamic values that are full of peace and love.

The screening of this film will be carried out in the form of 'Nonton Bareng' and will be followed by discussions or casual conversations with the speakers (TBA). As a country with the largest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia has more than 25,000 Pondok Pesantren which are home and school to around 4 million santri.

"The screening of FILM PESANTREN in 10 Pesantren in Java Island is actually to educate the lives of pesantren children who are very concerned about learning. In Pesantren, life is depicted as harmonious, religiously relaxed, different views are treated as normal, and high in tolerance. There is no fighting," said Lola Amaria, on Thursday (31/3/2022).

1. Teachings of Tolerance in Pesantren

Credit: Pesantren Film Release

“Pesantren as a place of learning that highly values differences without any disturbance. High tolerance between each other. This is what we share in this film as well as a discussion in every viewing session we do. Shalahuddin Siregar, the director and producer of the film, packaged it very well,” said Lola.

Before being shown in cinemas in the country, students in 10 Pesantrens in Java had the opportunity to watch Pesantren Film which depicts their lives in the Pesantren.

Located at Pesantren Kebon Jambu in Cirebon with 1800 students, Pesantren Film tells the story of 2 teachers and 2 students. Unlike most Pesantrens, this Pesantren is led by a female scholar named Ibu Nyai Masriyah Amva who practices religious teachings with a relaxed and peaceful approach.

2. Eliminating Negative Views About Pesantren

Credit: Pesantren Film Release

Through this film, viewers are presented with things that are often debated in society; diversity, human rights, women's leadership, music, and the need for humor in spreading Islamic teachings. Since Islamophobia has become a global sentiment, negative views about Pesantren have also spread widely.

This film will tell the opposite, where Pesantren can actually be used as a place to teach children to open their minds to the development of the times, technological advances, but at the same time strengthen their belief in the truth of religion.

Shalahuddin Siregar, Director and Producer, said he made this film because he was disturbed by the negative stigma given to Pesantren as a backward and undeveloped place, even a place where terrorists are taught. He made this film for the public to get to know more about daily life in Pesantren.

“The story in this film must be watched. So that we can get to know more deeply about life in Pesantren in its daily activities. This Ramadan, we will screen it in 10 Pesantrens that we have determined together,” said the man who is familiarly called Udin.

3. First Screened at IDFA

Credit: Pesantren Film Release

The film was first screened to the public at IDFA (International Documentary Film Festival) in Amsterdam in November 2019. IDFA is the largest and most prestigious documentary film festival in the world. The film was enthusiastically received, as evidenced by sold-out tickets for the first two screenings. The film will also be simultaneously screened in XXI cinemas starting from May 26, 2022 in major cities with limited screens.

“We can learn a lot from the teachers and students in this film, regardless of our beliefs or identities. For me personally, this film gives me more hope about the world,” said Sarah Dawson, IDFA Program Jury.

“This film successfully overturns the negative stigma attached to Pesantren,” said Savic Ali, Chairman of PBNU.

4. List of Screenings at Islamic Boarding Schools

Credit: Pesantren Film Release

Here is the list of screenings for Pesantren Film at Islamic Boarding Schools:
1. Pesantren Al Islamy Kebon Jambu Ciwaringin, Cirebon
2. Pesantren PDF & Ma’Had Aly Walindo Pekalongan
3. Pesantren Al Mas’Udiyyah Bandungan Semarang
4. Pesantren Darussalam Bergas, Semarang
5. Pesantren Aisyiyah Boarding School Batununggal Bandung
6. Pesantren Amanah, Sambongjaya, Tasikmalaya
7. Pesantren Attajdi, Singaparna Tasikmalaya
8. Pesantren Al Furqon Singaparna Tasikmalaya
9. Pesantren Al Furqon, Cibiuk, Garut
10. Pesantren Syamsul Ulum Bandung.

(kpl/pur/ums)