“We feel abandoned”, said Indonesia’s Cinemas.

I am neither a movie freak nor a popcorn lover as the matter of fact. But i am really disappointed with the situation that The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) has stopped their film distribution to Indonesia after Indonesian government introduced a new system of calculating and charging royalties on imported films since 17 February 2011.

Since the tax dispute between the government and film importers has prevented Hollywood blockbusters from being shown, the dreadful horror films have dominated Indonesian cinemas for 5 months now, angering everybody as movie fans.

I am sick and bored of not being able to watch the premiere of Transformers and Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallow – Part 2 which have just been released some days ago around the world, i miss good films in cinemas so much.

I am pretty sure that I am not the only one who is lamenting on the absence of Hollywood films on the big screen, but the cinemas as well are losing 50 percent of their revenues, as theaters had reduced screening frequencies and the number of studios used.

The absence of Hollywood movies is an epic fail in this country. Imposing film tax is a stupid policy because it affects many aspects. Cinemas have tried to meet the Indonesian demand for foreign films with either old or second-class films, but they have remained empty as moviegoers had turned to cheap bootlegged DVDs to watch the latest Hollywood box office hit on the (TV) screen. This is such a disgraceful for all of us!.

Anyway, I do not want this shameful history to repeat by itself and I am going to do what I can to prevent something like this happens in the future.

or perhaps,

“Should i be absent on the next election?”.

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Written : AP