AGE NEWS – Held at the American Corner Surabaya on May 14, 2025, USA’s Absolute Cinema brought together Rizal Alhifdi, a dedicated literature student with expertise in cinematography, videography, and media creativity. The event was designed as a film talk, offering an interactive dialogue space for cinematic and movie enthusiasts. USA’s Absolute Cinema aimed to bridge local perspectives with global discourse in filmmaking. Through interactive and participatory discussions, the talk show fostered inclusive, inspiring, and educational engagement among participants.
The first session was enlivened by the speaker’s experiences and passion for Western movies. His deep dedication to cinematography stemmed from his love of films. Delving into deeper discussions, Alhifdi shared creative insights into the filmmaking process. Beyond technical guidance, he provided strategies for finding fresh visual inspirations and ideas. The audience was enriched by recommendations on managing teams, time, and tools during the production process. By the end of the session, he shared editing and publishing tips to enhance the audience’s understanding.
The movie industry is closely tied to Western influences, with Hollywood often setting the global standard. During the discussion, participants actively analyzed and critiqued storytelling techniques and visual narration. By examining Hollywood productions, the audience learned to develop strong characters for their own film projects. Discussions about the Oscars and Cannes Film Festival highlighted the qualities needed to produce globally competitive films. Rather than solely celebrating American cinema, participants were encouraged to support local communities and producers. Many expressed enthusiasm for creating a vibrant, local-based film industry in Indonesia that highlights local values, culture, and traditions.
Toward the end of the session, the audience watched trailers from Inception and Stranger Things. Through these cinematic examples, participants shared brief analyses and opinions about the spectacles. Popcorn was served to create a comfortable and cozy atmosphere. USA’s Absolute Cinema successfully gathered over 20 individuals from diverse age groups to learn and engage with cinematography and the film industry.
