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Film portrays healing power of an interfaith friendship

By Pradipta Lakshmi for Khabar Southeast Asia in Jakarta

August 06, 2012

Indonesian journalist and media entrepreneur Erwin Arnada speaks at the Jakarta premiere of his movie

Indonesian journalist and media entrepreneur Erwin Arnada speaks at the Jakarta premiere of his movie "Rumah di Seribu Ombak" (Home of a Thousand Waves) on July 15th. Set to hit the movie houses in August, the film promotes religious tolerance and calls for child protection. [Pradipta Lakshmi/Khabar].

Wayan Manik – Yanik for short – is Balinese and Hindu. Samihi is a Sumatran, and Muslim. The two boys are inseparable, the best of friends.

Samihi is always there for Yanik, even when he reveals a terrible secret: he has been the victim of a pedophile, an old foreign man living in their village. With Samihi's support, Yanik finds the courage to seek justice.

So recounts the movie "Rumah di Seribu Ombak" (Home of a Thousand Waves), a film based on a novel of the same name by Erwin Arnada, the veteran journalist and controversial media entrepreneur.

The movie is set in Singaraja, a region in the north of Bali known to have the largest Muslim population on the Hindu island.

Arnada (second from right) speaks during a press conference at the Epicentrum XXI in Kuningan, South Jakarta, about

Arnada (second from right) speaks during a press conference at the Epicentrum XXI in Kuningan, South Jakarta, about "Rumah di Seribu Ombak", a film based on his novel of the same title. [Pradipta Lakshmi/Khabar].

Arnada, who also directed and co-produced the film, said it gives an accurate picture of Singaraja, where people of different beliefs live side by side and "there have been very little, almost zero, issues on religion".

Elsewhere, religious tolerance is still very poor in Indonesia, Arnada told Khabar Southeast Asia at the film's premiere in Kuningan, South Jakarta on July 15th.

"We still see things that shouldn't have happened, including the church conflicts," he said. "Law enforcement needs to act, and not merely engage in discourse."

I Gede Ary Astina or Jerinx, who plays a village public figure in the film, echoed the sentiment about Singaraja.

"There have been conflicts, but mostly internal, concerning business areas or something like that. But really, it is hard to imagine religious conflicts would occur in Bali. We have been taught about respecting other people, regardless of their religion, since we were children," said Jerinx, who is originally from Ubud, in central Bali.

However, as Arnada demonstrates in the film, Singaraja has its dark side as well. One of the most popular travel destinations in the world, Bali has attracted child molesters. For reasons associated with poverty, some children have become victims of pedophiles, the film suggests.

"The character of Wayan Manik is based on one person's experience. He was a victim of such a crime when he was a child," said Arnada, who encountered the problem during a visit in the area four years ago and decided to do research. "This is what inspired me to write a novel based on these things."

Arnada wrote the novel, and two other books, during nine months in prison. He was sentenced to two years prison in 2010 for offending public decency, after launching publication of Playboy Indonesia.

The magazine – which had just three editions, all published in 2006 – angered many conservatives. The Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) reportedly attacked the magazine's office shortly after the first edition appeared.

Arnada was released nine months later after an appeal to the Supreme Court."During my time in prison, I wrote three books, including 'Rumah di Seribu Ombak'," he said.

Amidhan Shaberah, chairman of the Indonesia Council of Ulema (MUI), has not seen the movie, but believes films made on religious themes can promote greater tolerance among Indonesian youth.

"I support films that promote peace and religious tolerance as long as they are not attacking any religion or its teachings. If more than one religion is featured in the film, then they will have to make it balanced. They should not make one look worse than the other," he told Khabar.

"Sensitivity regarding religious issues is very high. Any little thing done wrong can be offensive and trigger protests," he said. "I think as long as such films are well-written and produced, they should make a lot of them. But again, they have to pay attention to the content and avoid blasphemy."

Risjad Aden, 12, plays Samihi. He said he was proud to be in "Rumah di Seribu Ombak," his first film.

"This film teaches you how to respect and appreciate other religions. Indonesia is a big country with numerous cultural and religious backgrounds. Differences do exist, but they should not be a problem," he said.

Risjad said he is hopeful to see a more peaceful and tolerant Indonesia in the future.

"If led and managed by good leaders, I am optimistic that religious life in this country will improve," he said.

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