PULAU PLASTIK (Plastic Island), a documentary film by Visinema Pictures, Kopernik, Akarumput, and Watchdoc, premiered in Indonesian cinemas on April 22, 2021. Pulau Plastik tells the story of three individuals and their fight against single-use plastic pollution. Gede Robi, is the Balinese vocalist of grunge-band Navicula; Tiza Mafira, a young lawyer from Jakarta; and Prigi Arisandi, a biologist and river guard from East Java. The three protagonists explore the extent of plastic pollution in Indonesia, how it has entered our food chain and is impacting our health, as well as what can be done to address the plastic pollution crisis.
The PULAU PLASTIK film is adapted from a series that shares the same title, and is directed by Dandhy Laksono and Rahung Nasution. “PULAU PLASTIK is not only a collaboration of producers, filmmakers and the film’s characters, but it is also a combination of science, street activism, art, and an investigation in videography. The production team has extensive experience in capturing ecological and political issues in Indonesia.” said Dandhy Laksono. Rahung Nasution added, “This film explores a point in human history in Indonesia that seeks to solve problems without creating new ones.”
Ewa Wojkowska, Chief Operating Officer of Kopernik and Executive Producer of the film said, “We began this initiative in Bali with the vision that local culture and local wisdom can be a big part of the solution to prevent the ever-increasing problem of single-use plastic pollution. Through PULAU PLASTIK, we hope to inspire and encourage everyone to take real action and reduce the reliance on, and problems caused by single-use plastics.”
The premiere of PULAU PLASTIK is set to coincide with Earth Day and to invite the wider community to protect the Earth. Angga Dwimas Sasongko of Visinema Pictures, Executive Producer of this film, said, “PULAU PLASTIK is a collaboration between Visinema, Kopernik, Akarumput, and WatchdoC and our effort to stop single-use plastic pollution, so that our children and grandchildren can have a better future.”
Lakota Moira, Producer of PULAU PLASTIK added, “During the process of documenting the journey of the three activists in the film, we were deeply inspired by their passion and dedication to this issue. We hope that the release of PULAU PLASTIK this Earth Day will amplify their voices and inspire more people to be part of the change.”
Prior to the film premiere on Earth Day, a series of ‘The Road to the Premiere’ activities will be held across Bali between 18 and 21 April 2021. These include a ‘Sunday without Plastic’ event at Kebon Vintage in Denpasar on 18 April, where a press conference and talk show on local solutions as well as a live music performance will take place, following current health and safety protocols.
It’s time to take action to protect our Earth! The more people who are involved in taking small actions in their daily lives, such as refusing single-use plastic products and packaging, the bigger the positive change that we can bring to protect our planet. By coming together, and joining forces, we can encourage governments and corporations to make real change, reduce the reliance on single use plastics and stop single use plastic pollution.
Following the cinema release, Pulau Plastik will be available via the Bioskop Online platform from June 25, 2021.