Syeda Amtul

Saudi Gazette

 

JEDDAH — The eighth Asian Film Festival, organized by the Asian Consuls General Club (ACGC), concluded Friday with the screening of Indonesian film "Jokowi" at the residence of the Indonesian Consul General Darmakirty Syailendra Putra.



Before the movie commenced, a traditional Indonesian dance performance was presented by the students of an Indonesian school followed by the welcoming remarks of Putra.



Putra thanked all the ACGC members for attending the event and briefly spoke about the film. He also acknowledged the support of Consul General of Japan Matahiro Yamaguchi.



"Jokowi" is a film based on a true story of president Joko Widodo. Jokowi was born in Surakarta, who served as governor of Jakarta and as the president of Indonesia.



Although Widodo lived in flimsy rundown rented shacks on the flood-prone banks of a river, his unfortunate childhood never discouraged him to make his way to higher education.



His family assisted him through school and he eventually graduated. His love for Iriana, a plain girl and schoolmate of his sister, drove his spirits to face challenges as a future leader.



Even the passing away of his father doesn't lessen the passion of education within him, in fact he works hard with his father's inherited lessons.



Eventually, Widodo begins a down-to-earth leader.  He was well-known to have a hands-on style of leadership and gave hope to the poor by engaging them directly and giving them access to education, health care and basic services.



Yamaguchi, coordinator of the ACGC for this year, addressed the gathering to conclude the film festival.



He said: "Tonight, after 12 nights of joy, fun, happiness, sadness, laughs and tears, we witnessed the last scene of our 8th Film Festival, 2015.



It’s not the end of the story; it’s just the trailer for our preparations for the 9th ACGC Film Festival."



Since its launch 8 years ago, the film festival organized by ACGC has played a vital role in increasing knowledge and trends about the Asian rich culture among Saudis and Asian Communities.



Yamaguchi added: "We hope that such festivals will serve as a platform to build stronger bridges and bonds between our communities and Saudi friends."



Following the screening of the film, a food festival featured cuisines from Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, India, China, Singapore, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Indonesia, drawing the eighth Asian Film Festival to an end.



Prizes were also given away to lucky draw winners and movie enthusiasts, diplomats and Saudi entrepreneurs who attended the event.



The eighth ACGC film festival began on February 28 and concluded on March 13.