Indonesian Pie, not American Pie

That’s the tagline of a new buzz in Indonesia.

Beside the fuel hike that has claimed the highest attention in Indonesia, another, managed to steal the national spotlight.

This time, the protestors are on a mission: To Save the Morality of Indonesia.

Mau Lagi (Want More) is an Indonesian movie, based on the hit-selling American Pie, with a twist of local flavors. This movie depicts SEX as its main asset, although the director allegedly claims the movie brings beyond than just physical arousal.

Known as the Indonesian Pie, the movie has not escaped harsh critics from the ‘conservative’ public.

There’s something about Indonesia and sex. They love it, but they have to deny the love. I mean seriously, if Indonesia’s culture is so protective and respectful of sex, how in the world are we the fourth largest population? Indonesians just love to breed, or should I say, the process of breeding.

The big hoo-haa started when apparently, a draft-trailer was leaked onto the internet, A.K.A Youtube. Although, there were critics made by experts that it was done to get intense publicity.

Which I think, if it was true, is a great strategy.

I saw the interview of the producer with the director of the censorship at Liputan 6 Newsvideo, and the producer (the name’s Shanker) said that the movie has not been given a fair chance and should not be banned from premiering, and that despite the vulgarity of the draft-trailer, the movie contains moral lessons of the lives of the youth today.

But despite the plea, the movie was restricted from premiering, and apparently postponed until July by the Indonesian board of censorship.

MUI (Majelis Ulama Indonesia) also participated in the dilemma, and called upon a ban on the movie. Students from religious associatons also took the streets, and asked the ban of the premiere. With one motive: to save the integrity and moral of young Indonesians.

It sounds stupid as it is corny.

Saving the nation’s integrity and moral standard by banning a movie like this?

It is common knowledge in Indonesia, that the youngsters do not need a rip-off movie to make them go wild on sexual fantasies. They have higher standards. All they need is a mobile phone with a camera feature. Video Kita website, is a big proof. (Read my previous post on the Porn Industry in Indonesia)

I also find it very funny with the fact that overseas erotic movies can freely enter the mainstream media of Indonesia with ease, but a copy version with local taste is treated with fury. Doesn’t it defeat the purpose?

Honestly, the Indonesian youths are already morally corrupted in every way, they don’t need ML Movie to prove it, they have ridiculous tv shows (sinetrons) on air everyday, and for me, that is an overdose of idiocy to the Indonesian people, not just the youths. And that is worse than skin showing.

For those demonstrators who waste their wonderful time protesting on the streets, please, at least think with your brain, not just your values. Have some logical sense that things are changing, and instead adapt to it.

Board of censorship need not cut the movie, because if it does, then there will be no movie to watch. Besides, there is already a system of censorship in the movie.

It says 17+, which means no one below that age can watch it, which cuts the proportion of ‘corruption scope’ these hardliners fear. There is a simple theory, if they would like to watch it, then please do. If they do not, then just don’t buy the tickets.

Taking it out on streets with shouting and banners does not really reflect the moral and integrity they are trying to save and preserve. Moral and integrity for me, come from within.

Gone are the days when Indonesians embrace sensual, erotic, and bed-sizzling movies that appeared in the late 80s and early 90s.

I reckon it is the mass media, and the rapid Islamization that took the world by storm since 2001 that make Indonesia a living denial.

Books like Jakarta Undercover (which I have read the first and second only) are the closets Indonesians need to get out from. Because once we embrace that there is a problem, then only, can we fix it together.

But whatever it is, I’m waiting for the movie to come out. Not because I like the sex scenes, but just because it’s fun and I like local movies.

By the way: Here is the movie draft-trailer. You be the judge.

Note: You need to be at least 18 to view this video (It was flagged as inappropriate in YouTube)

Read and watch also:

The books (English or Indonesian) Jakarta Undercover 1, 2 and 3.

The movie, Jakarta Undercover.