Dian Kuswandini - Entertainment

Dian Kuswandini

‘Indonesian Idol’: Striving to captivate

8/10/2010

JP/ R. Berto Wedhatama

Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
| Mon, 08/09/2010 11:06 AM | Feature

Watching some fresh faces singing on the stage, competing for “Idol” status might have been very entertaining some years ago.

Like a drama about finding a diamond in the rough, Indonesian Idol captured the hearts of many because they could witness a real “zero to hero” story.

But let’s admit it: Any drama would send viewers into boredom after so many long episodes, and so has been the case with Indonesian Idol. After five years with the same old nuance, Indonesian Idol has started to lose its grip. Last year marked its first absence in five years following declining ratings — from 5.9 percent in 2004 to 4.3 percent in 2008, as revealed by AGB Nielsen. Meanwhile, its comeback this year has landed it in a pool already occupied by a crowd of new talent shows with different flavors, like Indonesia Mencari Bakat (Indonesia Looks for Talents) and Indonesia’s Got Talent.

“Our viewers today tend to prefer talent shows that offer more than just singing competitions,” says senior music critic Bens Leo. “People aren’t really after Indonesian Idol anymore because the trend has shifted to shows that bring a wide range of performances, like Indonesia Mencari Bakat and Indonesia’s Got Talent,” he adds.

Spinning infotainment

8/9/2010

Silet, a top infotainment show on RCTI

Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
| Wed, 08/04/2010 8:53 AM | Feature

It’s likely the hardest time for rating-stealing, money-making infotainment shows within their years of popularity. While they have always put glamorous faces under the limelight, it’s now their turn to go under.

The heat is still on with the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) redefining infotainment as non-news shows and formulating a tighter regulation on them. Recently, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) slapped a haram (forbidden) edict for gossip shows alike.

At first, when the saga with the KPI started to roll, those in the infotainment scene responded with defensiveness. But now, especially after the issue reached the religious domain, they’re melting.

“We’re currently formulating a guideline of ethics for infotainment shows and journalists as part of our commitment to carry out self-censorship,” media mogul Ilham Bintang, known as the King of Infotainment, told The Jakarta Post recently. “We want to underline that we don’t have such freedom to report anything we like. We, infotainment, will obey the law and journalism ethics.”

Sinetron: It’s the name of the game

8/4/2010

Cinta Fitri sinetron (NOVA)

Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

What’s in a name? For the makers of sinetron TV soap operas, a trend.

If you happen to sit for hours watching what television in the evening, you know what they mean – most sinetrons have titles taken from the main characters’ names.

The list is long -- Rafika, Sekar, Yasmin, Alisa, Wulan, Intan, Azizah, Aisyah, Candy, Diva to Cinta Fitri (Fitri’s Love) and Melati Untuk Marvel (Melati for Marvel).

This trend is reminiscence of the Latin soaps, known as telenovelas, which were popular here years ago.

You may still remember how Indonesian audiences –- young and old – watched Isaura, Maria Mercedes, Marimar and Paula with great enthusiasm. Even now some us can still recall characters and stories from those soaps.

People behind the scene admit that the use of names as sinteron titles has regained popularity recently.

“Audience easily recall the sinetrons if we use the name of a character as the title. This way we can keep them watching,” Manoj Punjabi, the owner MD Entertainment, one of the biggest production houses in the country, said.

“For us, a title like Kalau Cinta Jangan Marah (Don’t Get Angry if You Love) and similar ones are just so yesteryear. We don’t want to use them anymore,” he added.

‘Dreamgirls’: Getting in the spirit of Broadway

7/25/2010

JP/ Nurhayati

Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
| Sat, 07/24/2010 8:59 AM | Feature

Bringing a legendary Broadway musical to the local stage could be a real challenge because of the high expectations.

The locally flavored Dreamgirls musical, which recently sang its way into the hearts of a Jakartan audience, is one case where comments of “wow” and “ouch” were heard.

Even before the critiques, true musical lovers may first wonder how the local version of Dreamgirls would turn out, since the original play was in English, while the talents were Indonesians.

So, would some language issues arise?

One comment from a female audience member might provide the answer. “What has he been talking about?” she said in a response to one recurring supporting actor, who failed to deliver his words clearly.

Another theatergoer also criticized the same actor, saying, “I didn’t understand what he said”.

The language issue had affected the show since the curtain went up, with the main cast — Adyuta Abandhika (as Effie White), Laras Permata (Deena Jones) and Quincy Putri Pesulima (Lorell Robinson) — rushing through mumbled conversations.

Let it Rain

12/8/2009

JP/ J. Adiguna

Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
| Sat, 12/05/2009 1:46 PM | Life

"Jung Ji-hoon!" "Bi!" "Rain!" No matter which name his fans screamed out that night, the Korean superstar made everyone wait in despair, hungry for his smile.

But not for too long. After a number of hits and smooth dance moves, Rain gave the audience his shy-and-mysterious smile at last. And no need to guess further: That quick smile was greeted by hysteria from thousands of his fans, who flocked to the Jakarta International Exhibition Convention on Thursday night to watch him perform.

Rain, who started his career as a dancer for a singer a few years ago, apparently has his own stage and audience now. Even better, the 27-year-old Seoul-born pop sensation has spread his wings throughout Asia and even the US. And having the whole package - he can sing, dance and even act - has given him international recognition, something only few Korean artists have managed to secure.

His Jakarta's concert that night, which was part of his Asian Tour "Legend of Rainism", proved his shining popularity outside his homeland. In the two-hour-long concert, Rain had everyone hooked on his powerful choreography and catchy songs.

His live vocal quality? Well, not that impressive - at least for a non-fan like the writer - but it's worth appreciating as it wasn't lip-synching. After all, when it comes to entertaining his fans, Rain always does it his way - with energy and artistry.

Iranian films marking its international milestone

11/24/2009

Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sat, 11/21/2009 12:45 PM | Life

Hollywood rules the world's film industry, while Bollywood has its loyal international audience. In the case of Iran, it has stolen the hearts of many with its soul-catching movies.

If you still remember the famous Children of Heaven, then you know it only took a pair of shoes to make the audience understand what poverty and family relationship are all about. A simple, yet meaningful story that gives us more than just a drama.

"The stories depicted in Iranian movies are far from most Western movies that mainly highlight violence and sensuality," said senior actress Jenny Rachman, president of the Indonesian Film Artist Association (Parfi). "They're high quality movies dealing with issues of religion, humanity, morality and patriotism," she added.

Working with the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Indonesia, Jenny and her Parfi fellow brought the richness of Iranian movies to Indonesia. Under the three-day Iranian Film Festival that kicked off on Nov. 16, five international award-winning movies Hayat (Life), Ghoflsaz (Key Maker), Charkh (Wheel), Kheili Dur Kheili Nazdik (So Close yet So Far) and Har Shab Tanhaye (Alone Every Night) were screened at the Haji Usmar Ismail Film Center in Jakarta.

"After I watched Hayat yesterday, I was really tired," actress Ayu Azhari laughed, but quickly added, "I mean, I was emotionally exhausted."

"It felt like I forgot about everything else."

Chilled out, cheered up: Jakarta does the blues

11/10/2009

Courtesy of Antara

Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
| Sun, 11/08/2009 2:09 PM | Headlines

Who says the blues has to be, well, blue? It wasn't all melancholy at the second Jakarta International Blues Festival, which wrapped up Saturday with a colorful blend of sounds, putting the audience through a range of moods.

World-class performers Jan Akkerman of the Netherlands, Mike Wilgar of Northern Ireland, Kara Grainger of Australia and Blues Train of Singapore successfully won the hearts of the young and old concertgoers who packed into the Istora Senayan Stadium from noon to midnight.

The funky Blues Train, on the main stage, kicked off the festival with a soulful warm-up. The fun continued as Kara Grainger brought her distinctive blues-infl uenced country songs to the stage. And if the applause was anything to judge by, Grainger deserves a solid two thumbs up.

A different kind of bluesy mood took over as Mike Wilgar gave the audience time to chill out.

The 44-year-old had the crowd in raptures as he demonstrated his brilliant skill playing with the smallest harmonica in the world.

Get ready to rock, Jakarta

8/3/2009

Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sat, 08/01/2009 2:42 PM | Life

Hey, Jakarta, are you ready to rock?

If not, you'd better prepare yourself for the Java Rockin'land Festival, Southeast Asia's biggest rock festival ever.

There are four reasons why you should put the dates of the Java Rockin'land Festival - Aug. 7 to 9 - into your organizer.

First, it is bringing to Jakarta world-class rock bands whose live performances you've probably only ever seen on TV. If you've ever wanted to see Mr. Big, Third Eye Blind or Vertical Horizon live in concert, be grateful: Your wish is granted. These three American bands will rock this city, along with other international performers including Mew, Secondhand Serenade, Bagga Bownz, Joujouka, Melee, Renaissance BLVD and Motherjane.

'Cats' season begins

4/28/2009

Courtesy of Diakonos

Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Singapore
| Sat, 04/25/2009 1:33 PM | Life

They sing, dance and steal the hearts of many - all purr-fectly. The Jellicle Cats score, leaving the audience meowing for more.

Whoever let these cats out at Singapore's Esplanade Theater, they made the right decision. Musical enthusiasts in Singapore (and neighboring countries) have been missing this Andrew Llyod Weber masterpiece since its debut here in 1993.

And because Cats was the first ever international musical to pounce onto the Lion City, it's about time to celebrate theater fever after more than 15 years.

"I think I was 12 when they first came here, and my parents couldn't afford to get me a ticket, so I couldn't watch the show," Singaporean Daniel Lim said.

"But now that I generate my own money, I could buy myself a ticket and could even pay one for my girlfriend," the marketing executive at a shipping company chuckled.

Lim is among some 35,000 people who have already bought tickets to the show, set from April 10 to May 3. This number, however, is likely to climb, and hit 50,000, according to the show's producer, Tim McFarlene, from The Really Useful Company. Back in 1993, he says, more than 45,000 tickets were sold.

Cats' untold stories revealed

4/28/2009

7-kg-weight mantel JP/ Dian Kuswandini

Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Singapore
| Sat, 04/25/2009 1:33 PM | Life

On stage, the Jellicle Cats purr and meow like crazy. But backstage and off set, they get themselves even crazier - with a mishmash of make up, wardrobes, sets, props and more. Here are five untold stories for you.

Make up: We agree that the cats look stunning with their lively make up, don't we? They kind of remind us of characters from the popular 1980's animated series ThunderCats - only that the Jellicles are much more colorful and fun-looking. Ever wondered who would have done all these wonderful face-painting jobs?

"The performers do their make up all by themselves," Penelope Watts, general manager of Cats' touring production team, reveals.

"Of course, we have a make up artist, but she only trains them to do the painting," Watts told The Jakarta Post.

In training, Watts says, the mask guru only paints half part of the performers' faces. "The performers then paint the other half (to practice)."