Spending 1.2 Billion for the Film 'PESANTREN' to Dispel Negative Stigma About Pesantren

Kapanlagi.com - Soon Indonesian film enthusiasts will be presented with a religious film titled PESANTREN. The plan is for the film, directed and produced by Shalahuddin Siregar, to be released in theaters starting May 26, 2022. Shalahuddin admitted that he made the film based on his concern about the negative stigma given to Pesantren as a place that is outdated and not developing. It is even said to be a place where terrorists are taught.

"So this Pesantren film is related to my first documentary film, Negeri di Bawah Kabut. There is one character who chooses to enter pesantren because of financial constraints. The film was widely screened at international and Indonesian festivals. During the discussion, someone commented, 'Entering pesantren will make children become terrorists.' That stigma is what makes me uneasy," said the man who is familiarly called Udin at the Al-Furqon Islamic Boarding School, Singaparna, Tasikmalaya.

Armed with the desire to break the wrong view of pesantren, Udin began researching Pesantren since 2015 and started shooting activities in 2017-2018.

1. Understood in a Relaxing Way

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Pesantren Kebon Jambu, Cirebon, was chosen by Udin as the shooting location among many other 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.

2. Location Selection

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The selection of Pesantren Kebon Jambu, Cirebon as the shooting location was not without reason. The pesantren is led by a woman with 1,800 students.

"We shot for 100 days and we were there. We captured interesting moments. We spent 1.2 billion rupiah on this film," said Udin.

3. Can Be a Spirit

Therefore, Lola Amaria, who became Udin's partner in the film, said that this film can also be a spirit that women can also be leaders.

"In this film, it's like paving the way for female students who have leadership skills to lead. It means that women can also lead, open to anyone, and no one says that women cannot lead," said Lola Amaria.

4. First Screening

The film PESANTREN, edited in Germany with a production cost of 1.2 billion rupiah. This film was first screened for 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 greeted with enthusiasm, as evidenced by the sold-out tickets for the first two screenings.

5. Giving Opportunities

Before it was released in theaters, Udin and Lola Amaria gave the opportunity for students to watch the film that portrays the life of a pesantren during this Ramadan month.

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

6. PESANTREN Film Screening Target

There are around 10 pesantrens on Java Island that are the target for the screening of the PESANTREN film, namely the Al Islamy Kebon Jambu Ciwaringin Cirebon Pesantren, the PDF & Ma'had Aly Walindo Pekalongan Pesantren, the Al Mas'Udiyyah Bandungan Semarang Pesantren, and the Daarussalam Bergas Semarang Pesantren.

There are also the Aisyiyah Batununggal Bandung Pesantren, the Amanah Tasikmalaya Pesantren, the Attajdi Tasikmalaya Pesantren, the AlFurqon Singaparna Tasikmalaya Pesantren, the Al Furqon Cibiuk Garut Pesantren, and the Syamsul Ulum Bandung Pesantren.

(kpl/dan/dyn)