Brilio.net - The Indonesian film industry is once again in an uproar with the latest controversy. This time, a horror film titled Thaghut has become the center of public attention even though it has not officially been shown in theaters. The film, starring famous celebrity Ria Ricis, has already reaped pros and cons even before the audience can enjoy it on the big screen.
What makes this film even more interesting is the fact that "Thaghut" has received a summons from a group calling themselves the White Shamans. Although scheduled to be released on August 29, 2024, the film has already faced unexpected legal obstacles. This controversy has certainly made many people curious about the content and message the film wants to convey.
So, compiled by brilio.net from various sources, Thursday (29/8), here is the synopsis of the film Thaghut and the facts behind the banning of this film.
Synopsis of the film Thaghut.
photo: Instagram/@filmthaghut
Thaghut is a 2024 Indonesian horror film directed by Bobby Prasetyo. The film, produced by Leo Pictures, will be released in Indonesian cinemas on August 29, 2024. A number of artists star in the film, including Yasmin Napper, Arbani Yasiz, Ria Ricis, Whani Dharmawan, Dennis Adhiswara, Hana Saraswati, and Keanu Azka.
The synopsis of the film Thaghut tells the story of Ainun (Yasmin Napper) who finally finds out that the famous shaman named Abah Mulya (Whani Darmawan) is actually her biological father.
She found out the fact after it was too late after Abah Mulya died mysteriously. Ainun then decided to go to see her father for the first and last time.
However, unexpectedly, Ainun was forced to continue her father's heretical teachings and contradict the faith whose foundations were built since she was still at the Islamic boarding school.
Chronology of the White Shaman group's summons.
A Javanese keeper named Dwi Lestari, who is also a representative of a group calling itself the White Dukun, sent a warning letter because he objected to the narrative created by the Leo Pictures production house which viewed shamanism negatively.
In fact, according to Dwi Lestari, not all shamans are negative. Because in fact there are groups of shamans who are good and far from shirk behavior or deviating from religious teachings.
"The act of generalizing makes the shaman profession seem as if all of them are wrong and vile acts. This is certainly very detrimental in material and immaterial terms to the parties we call White Shamans," said Dwi Lestari in her press statement, Tuesday (28/8).
The summons aims to ask the Leo Pictures production house to provide clarification on the narrative that seems to generalize shamanism beyond the limit. Dwi Lestari threatened that if the summons is not responded to, his party will take legal action considering that the shamanic profession as a whole is affected by the promotion of the film Thaghut directed by director Bobby Prasetyo.
Facts and reasons behind the Thaghut film summons.
photo: Instagram/@cinema.21
1. Objection due to negative framing of shamans.
Dwi Lestari admitted that she strongly objects if all shamanic practices are considered deviant. Because there are several categories of shamans that are considered positive. She also mentioned several categories of good shamans, namely massage shamans, baby shamans, reog shamans, bridal shamans, and suwuk shamans.
In addition, the White Shaman Group also considers the film to give a negative view of the shaman profession in Indonesia. In fact, according to them, shamans have quite a big service in rural areas. For example, midwives.
2. Thaghut's previous film was titled 'Kiblat'.
Previously, this film was first titled Kiblat. But the title was immediately changed because it received protests for insulting Islam.
Despite changing the title, poster, and trailer, the film Thaghut apparently did not undergo a reshoot.
"Honestly, there weren't any changes, we didn't have any reshoots, we didn't have this, what's certain is that we'll just watch the film," explained Agung Saputra as producer to the media crew on July 27 2024.
3. The title change has not been consulted with the MUI.
Agung Saputra explained the reason for choosing the word Thaghut as the replacement title for Kiblat. According to him, the word is more appropriate to describe the entire story of the film. However, it turns out that Leo Pictures did not have a discussion with the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) when deciding to use the title Thaghut.