Lola Amaria Spreads Goodness to Santri Children Through the Film 'PESANTREN'

Kapanlagi.com - Lola Amaria did not waste the moment of Ramadan to increase good deeds. Lola's way is quite unique. As a filmmaker, she conducted a roadshow to several pesantrens in Java Island by screening the movie titled PESANTREN for the students to watch together and discuss. According to Lola, by screening a religious-themed movie, it can also be a means of da'wah.

"In my opinion, movies are also part of da'wah, meaning that we spread goodness and the audience also gets something good," said Lola Amaria at Pesantren Al-Furqon, Singaparna, Tasikmalaya.

The movie PESANTREN, according to Lola Amaria, is planned to premiere in theaters on May 26th, 2022. Before its release, she wants to give the students a chance to watch the movie that depicts the life of pesantren.

1. Starting From Negative Stigma

The film PESANTREN was directed and produced by Shalahuddin. The man commonly known as Udin stated that he made the film because he was disturbed by the negative stigma given to Pesantren as an outdated and underdeveloped place. It was even said to be a place where terrorists were taught.

"Actually, this film has been finished for a long time. In 2019, it should have been screened in theaters. But because of the pandemic, we had to wait until the situation improved and finally got a release date of May 26, 2022. Then I said, before it's shown in theaters, let's try to show it in several pesantrens," said Lola Amaria.

2. Conducting Research

Armed with the desire to break the wrong perception about pesantrens, Udin began conducting research on Pesantren since 2015 and started shooting activities in 2017-2018.

"So this Pesantren film is related to my first documentary film, Negeri di Bawah Kabut. One of the characters chose to enter pesantren because of financial constraints. The film was widely screened at international and Indonesian festivals. During a discussion, someone commented that 'entering pesantren will make children become terrorists.' That stigma made me restless," said the man commonly known as Udin.

3. Location in Cirebon

Pesantren Kebon Jambu, Cirebon, was then chosen by Udin as the location for filming among the many pesantrens in Indonesia.

"The point of this film is to make the audience understand that Islam is relaxed in facing problems and differences," said Udin.

4. Previously Shown to the Public

The film PESANTREN, edited by Udin in Germany, 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 received with enthusiasm, as evidenced by tickets sold out for the first two screenings.

"This film is good, its mission is also good, the context is current, and I feel that many people should watch this film in order to open up that we appreciate differences and that Islam is good," said Lola Amaria.

(kpl/dan/dyn)