By Honorary Reporter Dian Srirosa Br Bangun from Indonesia

Photos = Dian Srirosa Br Bangun

The Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Nov. 26 hosted a screening of the 1996 Korean film "Festival" with Indonesian subtitles. The audience was limited to 20 people who had made online reservations and were fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Before the event started, each person was subject to a body temperature check and had to provide evidence of being fully vaccinated, with hand sanitizer made available. They also had to sit spaced apart for their safety.

Before the film began, a speaker gave a brief description of the movie. Winning the Blue Dragon Film Award of Korea for Best Film in 1996, "Festival" is about a famous writer who goes to the countryside to attend his mother's funeral. His stepson, who ran away after stealing money from the family, also goes to attend the event. 

A quiz was held after the screening with prizes given to the winners.

I asked two people who attended the screening what they thought of the film. Intan Dwi Nasyifa, 20, said the most memorable part was the funeral process as the film lacked a serious conflict, thus the focus was on the deceased grandmother and the funeral process. Putri Kalih Nuraida, also 20, said what she felt was most memorable was when the grandmother tells her granddaughter that her age is to be shared with her. 

Before the event ended, participants posed for a group photo and received snacks, bread and drinks. The hope is that the KCC will hold offline events more often in light of the pandemic situation in Indonesia starting to improve.