TEMPO.CO, Den Haag - A transgender-themed short film by Nia Dinata opened the “Indonesian Film Screening” at Filmhuis Den Haag, Netherlands, on Wednesday, September 30. The 15-minute long film becomes one of the six films which were screened at the event for three consecutive days.

“The director here has watched my previous move ‘Love for Share’. Filmhuis then required me to submit my latest film. By chance, I produced ‘Wedding Gown’ in 2014,” said Nia Dinata who proud to be qualified for the event.

‘Wedding Gown’ is part of a omnibus film project that was created in collaboration with six female film directors from ASEAN countries. The film was screened on the commemoration of the International Women Day.

Nia believes that film is the most effective and affordable means to promote a culture. Moreover, the film itself can be made in digital form instead of the heavier conventional 35-mm band.

“The best format is of course the 35-mm band, but it is heavy and expensive. So the more modern format is okay. It is practical and cheap. And most importantly, the Netherlands society would get to know Indonesia’s culture development,” Nia added.

Nia’s film garnered appreciations from the audiences as it raises transgender problematic that is known to be taboo in Indonesia. ‘Wedding Gown’ depicts a story about a male-to-female transgender Sandy who works as a wedding gown designer. The film explores an emotional conflict experienced by Sandy as her lover Farid is getting married to a woman and Sandy is the one who sew the wedding gown for the couple.

“In the Netherlands, we can do and talk about anything because this country has been very open. Whereas in Indonesia, the things that used to be buried deep, can now be seen and published as film,” said Maik, a Dutch who won a speech contest in Indonesian language.

YUKE MAYARATIH