[Films Screening and Discussions] Kampungs of Surabaya - A Singapore-Indonesia Collaborative Documentary Filmmaking Project

DetailsMedia, Arts & Design School, Singapore Polytechnic (SP) and University of Airlangga (UNAIR) collaborated on a 5D-4N documentary filming in Surabaya, Indonesia in June 2023. Organised by Media, Arts & Design School (MAD) as part of an MAD module, Documentary Filmmaking, the purpose of this project was to discover meaningful and impactful stories in the various kampungs in Surabaya. A total of 20 MAD and 8 UNAIR students were involved in the project. Together, the students conducted research on their topics and locations prior to the trip and upon arrival, did location scout and street-interviews to find their stories. Then finally, the students planned and filmed their documentary. It was a good learning experience for both SP and UNAIR students through this collaborative and cross-cultural project. Digital content platform, VIDDSEE, is the official media partner of this project and was involved in the following:
• Mentoring of students
• Film premiere on VIDDSEE Platform
• Marketing and promotion of films

DOCUMENTARY FILM SCREENING AND DISCUSSION AND SHARING
Four student documentary films that were produced by SP and UNAIR will be screened, each followed by a panel sharing of the collaboration and films. They are:
• Mary Chin, Deputy Director, Singapore Polytechnic & Project Lead
• Titik Puji Rahayu, Head of Department, Communication Department FISIP Universitas Airlangga
• I Gusti Agung Ketut Satrya Wibawa, Lecturer, Communication Department FISIP Universitas Airlangga

FILM SYNOPSES
The four stories uncovered by the students covered the topic of Seeing from the Neighbourhood: States, Communities and Human Mobility, with an angle of how kampungs were impacted by global issues such as the COVID19 pandemic and climate change.

1. Forgetting Gadgets
9 year-old Umar is socially inept and has been addicted to gadgets since he was two. To curb his addiction, his mother sends him to Kampung Lali Gadget, a community that believes in staying away from electronics and learning through old-school play and tradition.

2. Scavenging for Hope
Living in a dilapidated rental, Munirah relies on scavenging to survive. Despite minimal
government aid and the impact of COVID-19 on her business, she remains hopeful and
dedicated to her children's future. The film showcases the hardship and resilience of Indonesians, while shedding light on the struggles of the impoverished living in the Kampungs.

Discussion and sharing

3. Our Village
Our Village is a documentary on Kampung Lawas Maspati, a famous tourism kampung in Surabaya, as it triumphs over COVID-19 through resilience and hope. Witnessing the tenacity of its residents, the documentary reveals how they draw strength from their shared culture, traditions, and the kampung spirit.

4. Ebb and Flow
60-year-old Mdm Urifah tries to keep her village, Kampung Cabut Duri, afloat after strong floods threaten to destroy the milkfish deboning community she started 30 years ago. Climate change has impacted villages worldwide and in particular, in Indonesia. This is a film about a village’s struggle for livelihood and the preservation of its identity.

Discussion and sharing