Indonesian films rise on the global stage
IT was a special moment for Happy Salma, an Indonesian actor and member of Bali’s royal family, to put Indonesian cinema on the global stage.
During the Asia Pacific Screen Awards on the Gold Coast on Friday, which welcomed international nominees for the first time since the pandemic, Salma, who is married to Prince Tjok Gus Kerthyasa of Bali, accepted the best film award for Indonesia’s Before, Now and Then.
The film, in which Salma stars as Nana in a portrait of her life set against the unrest of 1960s Indonesia, became the first Indonesian film and the first film directed by a woman to win the coveted award.
“The film for me is very personal because the story is about the layers of emotion of a woman,” Salma said.
“I’m so honoured, excited and grateful of course.
“I really appreciate this event to give me opportunity, especially as a woman.
“It helps us to push the Indonesian film market on the global stage.”
Salma was an accomplished television actor in Asia when she met her husband, son of the head of Bali’s royal family and custodians of the Hindu faith.
They held a Balinese royal wedding in 2010 and now share two children, Salma juggling her duties, family and acting work.
“I’m so lucky because my father in law, even though he’s pure Balinese and in the high caste, he also lived in Sydney for a long time … so he’s already very open minded,” she said.
“My husband and father in law, they are arts people also so they really understand and appreciate (my work).
“They’re so excited come (to the Gold Coast).”