Becoming Indonesia in Documentary Film

January 10, 2025

The Ciputra University Library Lounge area witnessed the birth of student documentary works at the documentary film launch event for the “Becoming Indonesia” course. The event, held on January 7, 2025, featured various documentaries exploring historical issues with a fresh and innovative approach, concluding a semester of historical literacy-based learning. The “Becoming Indonesia” course at Ciputra University, taught by FX Domini BB Hera, Aji Prasetyo, Osa Kurniawan Ilham, and Subianto, aims to rekindle a love of history through active learning. FX Domini BB Hera explained that the approach focuses on hands-on practice in the field.

“We want students to not only learn from the material, but also conduct their own research. They become researchers and content creators. This process hones their critical thinking because historical facts cannot be accepted at face value without a curation process,” she said.

Seven documentaries were screened, highlighting important historical figures, such as FJH Bayer, Kurkdjian, and others. One of the works produced from the course in the previous semester that attracted significant attention was a documentary about Gedung Setan, a slum area in central Surabaya. The work depicts the living conditions of a community often overlooked.

“Students’ commitment to social issues like this creates powerful work. They learn to understand public issues and produce work that resonates with audiences. For example, other students at Surabaya State University provided critical feedback after watching this work, an impact that exceeded our expectations,” added FX Domini BB Hera.

Meanwhile, Aji Prasetyo emphasised the learning process, which also teaches responsibility in data collection. This process teaches students an understanding of copyright.

“We always emphasise the importance of accountable data and non-infringement of copyright. We hope that students’ work will not only meet academic standards but also be relevant to the wider community,” he said.

In a separate interview, Wahyudi Henky Soeparto, a lecturer in the International Business Management Regular Class, highlighted the importance of history, stating that it is a crucial element in character building.

“History teaches continuity. By understanding the past, we can learn what needs to be continued or avoided. Furthermore, we discovered that the entrepreneurial spirit has existed since ancient times, as reflected in the historical figures in the documentary,” he said.

Making a documentary provides students with a wealth of experience. Putra, one of the students involved in filmmaking, shared his challenges.

“Our biggest challenge was determining the storyline and collecting data from various locations. However, with the support of our lecturers, we were able to produce a work that depicts great figures like Ohannes Kurkdjian, a photographer who captured the face of Surabaya in the past,” he said.

Yehuda Abiel, Head of the Ciputra University Library, appreciated the students’ efforts in utilising the data available in the library. The data from the library became the material for the documentary. “The data in our library helps students complete their reference work. This shows that the library is not just a place to read, but also a centre for developing ideas,” said Yehuda Abiel. The launch of the documentary reflects.

Ciputra University’s educational philosophy integrates historical literacy with a spirit of innovation. With a focus on practice-based learning and accountability, the university produces graduates not only academically competent but also relevant in addressing social and cultural challenges.

These documentaries are concrete evidence of how history can be brought back to life and relevant to contemporary life. Ciputra University demonstrates that education is not simply the transfer of knowledge, but also a profound transformation of values ​​for students and society.