Over 100 participants, predominantly from Gen Z, gathered for a special screening of the documentary film “Pesta Babi” (Pig Feast) at the Indonesian Catholic Students Association (PMKRI) secretariat in Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Saturday evening, May 23. The youthful audience showed keen enthusiasm for the film, which boldly addresses critical issues surrounding large-scale development projects in South Papua.
Directed by acclaimed filmmakers Dandhy Laksono and Cypri Dale, the 95-minute (1 hour 35 minutes) “Pesta Babi” documentary intricately details how vast stretches of indigenous forests are being cleared to make way for ambitious bioethanol and food security projects. The film paints a stark picture of the environmental and social transformation unfolding in the region.
The documentary further highlights the severe impact on local indigenous communities, specifically the Marind, Awyu, Yei, and Muyu tribes. These communities are depicted as losing their traditional lands and living spaces, increasingly feeling displaced from their ancestral territories due to the aggressive expansion of sugar cane and palm oil plantations, as well as extensive food estate initiatives.
Beyond the film screening, the event also featured a crucial discussion session. Content creator Virdinda, one of the featured panellists, underscored that “Pesta Babi” is far more than just a visual narrative. She described it as a poignant representation of power injustice, where the living spaces and fundamental rights of Papuan communities are systematically eroded.
Baca juga:
- FTSE Coret Saham DSSA, DAAZ, HILL dan MLIA dari Indeks Global, Apa Alasannya?
- Net Sell Asing Mereda saat IHSG Turun 8,3% Sepekan, BMRI, BBCA dan BUMI Diborong
- Defisit APBN Berpotensi Lampaui 3% PDB Jika Pemerintah Tak Gubris Masalah Fiskal
“It feels as though displacement is rationalized, resistance is branded as insubordination, and indigenous communities are unfairly categorized as primitive groups who, by rejecting development, are perceived as having no future,” Virdinda elaborated, shedding light on the problematic narratives surrounding such projects.
Echoing the film’s powerful message, Jerry (24), a student hailing from Highland Papua, affirmed that “Pesta Babi” authentically portrays the grim realities currently unfolding in Papua. He articulated a fervent hope that the government would not solely focus on exploiting Papua’s abundant natural resources but would also prioritize the well-being and rights of its human resources—the people themselves.
“Our ancestral forests are being forcibly taken without any form of consultation or confirmation,” Jerry passionately told Katadata.co.id, emphasizing the profound sense of injustice felt by his community.
In contrast to these perspectives, Coordinating Minister for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correctional Affairs, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, had previously refuted claims that the National Strategic Projects (PSN) in South Papua constitute a form of modern colonialism. His reasoning was predicated on the assertion that Papua remains an integral and inseparable part of Indonesia.
“Such land clearing also occurs in Kalimantan and other islands, all of which are integral parts of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia,” Yusril stated on Thursday, May 14, as quoted by Antara, providing the government’s official stance on the contentious issue of development versus indigenous land rights.
Summary
Over 100 predominantly Gen Z participants attended a special screening of the documentary film “Pesta Babi” in Jakarta. Directed by Dandhy Laksono and Cypri Dale, the film critically examines large-scale bioethanol and food security projects in South Papua. It details how these developments lead to the clearing of indigenous forests and the displacement of local tribes, including the Marind, Awyu, Yei, and Muyu, from their ancestral lands.
A discussion followed, where content creator Virdinda described “Pesta Babi” as a poignant representation of “power injustice” and the erosion of Papuan communities’ rights. A student from Highland Papua affirmed the film’s authentic portrayal, hoping the government would prioritize human well-being over resource exploitation. Conversely, Coordinating Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra had previously refuted claims that these National Strategic Projects in South Papua constitute modern colonialism, asserting that Papua remains an integral part of Indonesia.
