At the 12th Silk Road International Film Festival, Indonesian director Garin Nugroho made a bold declaration: "Hollywood is not number one." Speaking to CGTN, Nugroho revealed that six of Indonesia's top ten highest-grossing films are now locally produced – a testament to shifting audience preferences.
The award-winning filmmaker, serving as a jury member for the festival's Golden Silk Road Awards, drew from personal experience to highlight Asia's cultural connections. "In my elementary school days, Chinese movies were wildly popular here," he recalled, emphasizing cinema's role as a bridge between nations.
Nugroho's comments come as Indonesia's film industry reports record domestic ticket sales, with audiences increasingly embracing stories reflecting local realities. The director urged Chinese and Indonesian creators to strengthen collaboration, noting: "Film remains our most powerful tool for mutual understanding in this digital age."
This trend mirrors broader movements across Asia, where regional productions are challenging Hollywood's dominance through culturally resonant storytelling and strategic cross-border partnerships.
