and he goes to South Korea

As i write this short review of my voyage to South Korea and Hong Kong as part of my university’s program to learn more of a another country’s politics, way of life, education, culture and so on, i think to myself what have i received from this so called educational excursion. Well shopping seems to be one of my least interests for it is of minimal importance for me (except perhaps purchasing some souvenirs for me and the people back home). But this seems to be the opposite for many of my friends for shopping to them seems to be a must. And believe it or not, this so called educational excursion study is all about that. So..what have i received?

Yes..the infamous excursion study, where the students are supposedly have the chance to learn more about the country they visit, the culture, the politics, the people, the history or in short everything about the country. Yes, yes..i myself am aware the dullness of this topic for many of us(or at least for most Indonesians).  But if the reason of we, the students of the International Relations Department, Parahyangan Catholic University, are supposedly to learn about the country we visit, shouldn’t we do so? Is the name excursion study just a glamorous wrapping so that our parents can finance our visit to these amazing countries?

Truth be told, i am disappointed (yes, i am very much aware that i am one the committees that planned this visit, but i was not told that we had so little time at wonderful places such as museums, ancient palaces,  historical places, etc).

No..please don’t get me wrong. i’m not trying to be a smart ass nor am i trying to be a hypocrite but i, other than buying the usual souvenirs and some little shopping(i just bought some t-shirts for souvenirs and two hats for God sakes), I wanted to learn about the country i visited, i wanted to see it’s culture, it’s traditions, i wanted to learn of it’s history, it’s wars, it’s joys, i wanted to go to museums and stay their for at least two full hours, i wanted to see traditional dance shows, to see its beauty. I wanted to see South Korea with all it’s bells and whistles.

But as you have already guessed, this was not the case, and yes this short review has become more of a critic (a critic to me for not finding out the details), which i hope my juniors will read and learn, IF (and that’s a big if) they really want a proper excursion study. To learn about the country they visit, not just mere shopping.

mala fide – dengan itikad jahat

in reality

a few days ago i watched the all inspiring movie which everyone hailed as a smart, real life, original film.

and that film, is called Juno.

as i write this blog, a couple of my friends seem to have found interest in this film. hence, i write this blog while they watch the film behind my back.

so exactly what shall i write?

a review about Juno? its goods and bads? its critics? perhaps unintentionally i will.

but i have more broader goal.

a more sincere goal.

and thus a question arises, why can’t we as Indonesians compose a more realistic film, a more real-life-oh-my-God-that’s-me film? hey i know my limits, if you question me, and ask, why don’t you do that ben? i’ll admit it truthfully and honestly that i am certainly not capable to compose such a thing, for the moment at least.

although there are people who seem to know what they are doing and what real life means, such as Riri Riza, Mira Lesmana and other talented under-descredited directors and producers. Most of our film people are either ignorant of our shitty lives in Indonesia or they’re paid by the government not to show to the young, innocent people the truth of Indonesia (which would be a waste of my and your taxes if done so). Not to show its pro’s and cons, its ups and downs, its huge gap of the rich and the poor. whatever the reason, we should thank the people who have done this. all hail Raam Punjabi and it’s efficacious company, Multivision Plus.

yes. i criticize him for brainwashing us towards a more materialistic, oh-i-need-more-money and oh-i-can’t-seem-to-understand-dialog-rich-intelligent-movies.

look here.

http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multivision_Plus

and you will find a list.

a list of Indonesian made movies, short movies, soap operas(sinetrons) , teledramas and the (God forgive) religiously misleading sinetrons.

ever heard of Bukan Bintang Biasa(FYI not produced by Multivision Plus, i guess shitty production houses are abundant in Indonesia)? well most Indonesians have.

and i am ashamed that this movie is product of my country.

very ashamed.

my point is, go make your teledramas, go make your shitty sinetrons with a dialog so poor that i can wipe my ass with, but please, there are limits. our society is very much influenced by television and if this goes on we cant expect much from our younglings. intelligence is hard to find these days especially in the economically problematic Indonesia.

and the things that people put on tv are not helping at all.

people seem to not see the future impacts of these low quality televisions shows.

and as usual we usually take action when things go bad.

sad but true.

and thus

this concludes another sad story of Indonesia and its people.

mala fide – dengan itikad jahat