Nurfika Osman – As the controversial film bill moved closer to becoming law, one of the country's most prominent directors called the legislation an attempt to create a climate of psychological fear among filmmakers.

Young director and producer Riri Riza was responding in particular to an article in the bill that would require filmmakers to submit their scripts to the authorities for approval.

"Having to register our stories and to get approval is designed to create a form of psychological fear," Riza told the Jakarta Globe. "What kind of scenarios do the [officials] want? Under these conditions, creativity in films will be removed."

Riza also raised concerns about another article in the bill that would prohibit movies containing storylines that could encourage people to use drugs or seek out pornography, or that in any way could compromise the values of the country.

"How do we define pornography and other values as stated in the bill?" he asked. "This bill is going to homogenize films in the country."

However, Riza said that if the bill was passed into law, it would not discourage directors from making movies. "We see this as a challenge for those who believe in freedom of expression," he said. "We won't stop making films."

Meanwhile, the legislation moved closer to passage on Monday when a House commission agreed to recommend that a House of Representatives plenary session endorse the bill to replace the 1992 Law on Film, despite initial objections by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).

Heri Akhmadi of the PDI-P said his party was concerned that the legislation did not support the film industry and could stifle creativity. He said the party was also disappointed that lawmakers failed to invite the public and members of the film industry to participate in formulating the bill.

"This film bill is not ideal. It does not empower the Indonesian film industry," Akhmadi said during the commission meeting. However, after initially voicing its displeasure with the legislation, the party quickly backed down.

With the nine other factions having already agreed to endorse the bill, a closed-door session was called and the PDI-P lawmakers emerged 30 minutes later having agreed to set aside their misgivings. "We were caught in a dilemma," Heri said. "If we failed to endorse the bill it would only be passed on as a burden to the next House."

Separately, Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik said the legislation would improve and challenge Indonesian movies, and that the government would only intervene and exert control in order to create more quality films.