10th ASEACC Conference: The Politics Of Faith, Spirituality, And Religion In Southeast Asian Cinemas

CFP: The Politics Of Faith, Spirituality, And Religion In Southeast Asian Cinemas
10th Biennial Association for Southeast Asian Cinemas Conference (ASEACC) July 23-26, 2018, Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Yogyakarta, Indonesia

In Southeast Asia, the tropes of faith/belief, spirituality and religion are frequently inseparable from the political––whether specific regimes, groups, movements or longer 'undercurrents'––in a way that challenges post-enlightenment, rationalist/secularist conceptions of the political and the modern. As the products of these rapidly changing societies with diverse and long-historical philosophies and practices of faith, religion and ritual, Southeast Asian cinemas have often occupied disputed theoretical and aesthetic ground, particularly in their engagements with politics. Local cinematic forms have consistently resisted any absolute break with the power structures and attendant narrative and aesthetic discourses that link the regional past to its national presents. The resultant connection drawn by many local films between modernism and approaches to life, politics and representation that eschew Western secularism have frequently served as a source of consternation or dismissal from both local and global audiences and critics.
In the decades since 9/11, however, as religion has become ever more visible and the post-European Enlightenment ideal of separation between public and private spheres has been increasingly destabilized throughout the world, films engaging with the profound continuity of local aesthetic and spiritual pasts in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and elsewhere have also begun to gain more regular acceptance in the foremost bastions of cinematic legitimacy in Europe, East Asia and the United States. How might works like these––and perhaps more important, those less universally appreciated offerings that preceded them––challenge and expand our understanding of what cinema is and does? How might the analysis of Southeast Asian cinemas, genres, or particular films inspire a critical rethinking of the position and role of religion, faith and other “old” systems of belief in processes of regional transformation and decolonization, and the production and spread of modernity and nationalism they fostered?
Perhaps the most pressing question in this context: in light of the alarming contemporary expansion of politico-religious conservatism and authoritarianism throughout the region, might Southeast Asian films, filmmakers and theorists be especially well positioned to formulate a critical response that elides the polarizing valorization of secularism so often deployed by Western critics?
Possible topics include, but are by no means limited to:
  • Representation of religion, religious themes, and spirituality in cinema Faiths, identity-based politics, sectarianism.
  • Cinema as a vehicle for the adaptation and continual development of religious or traditional ideologies and systems of thought.
  • Cinema as a mediator between religious and political authorities and the public.
  • Cinematic reference to, or quotation of, traditional systems of belief and forms of expression.
  • Cinema and Institutional investment in defining and promoting tradition.
  • Faith/religion and reception, exhibition, distribution (ex. themed festivals).
  • Films as interventions into religious politics/cultures and sectarian politics.
  • Faith/religion/spirituality, film, and consumer culture Religion and censorship Islamic themed films as a contemporary phenomena in Indonesia and Malaysia (and elsewhere).
ASEACC welcomes presentations related to the conference theme or to Southeast Asian cinemas more broadly. Past conferences have included site visits, screenings, and presentations from academics, critics, filmmakers, archivists, and others interested in Southeast Asian screen media.
Please check our website archives and conference programs for past paper topics as we are less likely to accept topics that have been covered before:  www.aseacc.org.
Abstract Submission Deadline: November 7, 2017. Please send an abstract (max. 300 words) and short bio (max. 100 words) to: Katinka Van Heeren (cvanheeren@hotmail.com), Patrick Campos (patrick.campos@gmail.com), and Sophia Harvey (soharvey@vassar.edu).

Registration
Registration costs: includes coffee breaks, lunches, and conference packs, to be paid at the conference either in USD or in Indonesian Rupiah (that day’s rate of exchange from USD -1 USD approximately equals IDR 14,000) or direct (see website for registration payment details):

Full Conference International Delegate                                            US $ 100
Includes Europe, UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Hong Kong
Full Conference International Student Delegate                               US $ 50

Full Conference ASEAN Rate (except Singapore)                            US $ 60
Full Conference ASEAN Student Rate (except Singapore)              US $ 30

International Day Rate                                                                      US $ 50
International Day Rate Student                                                        US $ 25

ASEAN Day Rate                                                                              US $ 30
ASEAN Day Rate Student                                                                US $ 15


Location


Our venue is
the Concert Hall,
Program Pasca Sarjana, Institut Seni Indonesia, Yogyakarta
(Post Graduate Program, The Indonesian Institute of the Arts Yogyakarta)
Jalan Suryodiningratan No. 8, Yogyakarta, DIY 55143. Indonesia
TEL: +62 274 419791

ISI Yogya – Post Graduate Program is located in the area of Prawirotaman-Tirtodipuran-Suryodiningratan where you can find hip hotels and hang-out places, good food, and art galleries. The area is within walking distance from the historic Yogyakarta Palace, the Tamansari Watercastle, and especially the South Gate of the palace’s fortress.

How to get to the area from the airport (ranked in order of our recommendation)

1. By Airport Taxi: The most secure

The official airport taxi company is Rajawali Taxi. Their fare is the cheapest compared to other companies.

Go to their counter in the corner, located 15-20 meters in the front of the arrival gate, next to a bun shop. You will need to pay in the counter, so you have to mention your destination (in this case if you want to go to the venue: jalan (street) Suryodiningratan), and they will tell you the fare. After paying, you will get a receipt/coupon with a car number. You will need to go to the Rajawali taxi platform and wait for a car with the number assigned to you.

The fare should be around IDR 85,000-90,000 (or around USD 6.5).

Tips:
- Please do not buy the coupon if you want to do other things in the airport area before leaving (e.g. eating at restaurant) because the driver of the assigned car will be waiting for you and by doing that, he/she might block the exit of the taxi platform (and you don’t want to go with a grumpy driver).
- If you come in group (up to 5 people) or have big luggage, ask for “avanza” car (a brand of mini van) so you will get extra space.

2. By Online Taxi (including motorbike online taxi): The cheap options

We do not encourage you to do this if you have never done it before, because of various technical challenges. First problem is that you need to have smart phones, internet connection, and have the app installed. Second, communications with the driver will go through phone calls or sms/text messages, so make sure you have a local number or your international number can be contacted by local numbers. Third, online cabs are not allowed to pick passengers up in the airport, so you need to walk out of the airport area.

But yes, it can save you money (unless you arrive late at night and it’s raining, when the supply of available online taxi is low and their rate will be higher than regular taxis).

You need to do these things:
1.     Install the app: there are only Gojek and Grab available. (Uber in Southeast Asia was just bought by Grab).
2.     Walk (about 5 minutes) to the main road. Walk to parking lot, through an underpass, and continue to walk North until you get to the main road. Walk more to the front of the office of immigration, where you are considered outside the airport area and the driver can pick you.
3.     Open the app, put the address you want to go, and the fare comes up and turn on your search. When you get a driver, he will call or text you, so make sure your number is working.

In busy hours, the rate for car taxi can be IDR 60,000 (USD 4.35). Normally it is around IDR 45,000 (USD 3.25).
In busy hours, the rate for motorbike taxi can be IDR 45,000 (USD 3.25). Normally it is around IDR 22,000 (USD 1.5).

Tips:
- Only order motorbike taxi if you travel with minimum luggage (mountain backpack would be too big).
- Riding motorbike during the rain is not a smart move.
- If you have 2 apps (grab and gojek), you can compare their fares. However, do not turn on your driver search at the same time in both apps for obvious reasons.

3. By Becak/Pedicab/Rickshaw or Horse Carriage: traditional transport

No pedicab nor horse carriage available in the airport. We know you can’t wait to get on those but you have to wait until you are in the city.

4. By Bus: Super cheap if you continue by walking - but takes longer.

The bus service is called Trans Jogja. The buses are air conditioned, on paper they leave every 15 minutes, and the fare is fixed at IDR 3,600 (USD 30 cent). However, the ones that have closer stops to the venue take you first to faraway places (can take more than 1 hour, maybe 2) before you get there, and you might need to continue walking for 1 km (or taking pedicab!!). It is probably fun if you are an adventurous type.

There are two routes: 1(A&B) & 3(A&B). Both have circle routes. “B” buses go clockwise, while A buses go counter clockwise.

If you take 3A or 3B, you can stop at Halte (bus stop) Sugiono, which is only 1 km from the venue. Both practically go around Jogja city, but 3A is probably better, as 3B stops at the main bus station for 15 minutes before it gets to Halte Sugiono. If you are good in bargaining with becak/pedicab driver, you can go to the venue with IDR 15,000 (or USD 1).

If you take 1A or 1B, you can stop at Halte Senopati, which is 2.8 km from the venue. If you decide to take becak to the venue, you probably can get IDR 40,000 (or USD 2) if you are lucky enough to get a hopeless pedicab driver.

Hotel Around Venue (https://goo.gl/maps/hHPeuDRywu22)

These are the hotels with the published rates, listed in order of distance from the venue combined with our recommendation ranking. Booking websites might have lower rates.

1. Bed & Breakfast and Budget Hotels in Walking Distance to the Venue

1.     The Kresna Hotel, Heritage Hotel.
48 m / 1 minute walk.
Start from IDR 388,889 (USD 28)
2.     OstiC House, Hostel.
13 m / 1 minute walk.
Start from IDR 118,000 (USD 8.5) / bed.
3.     Wisma Ary’s, budget hotel with garden.
170 m / 2 minute walk.
Start from IDR 225,000 (USD 16)
4.     Rengganis Hotel, budget hotel with outdoor pool.
400 m / 5 minute walk.
Start from IDR 375,000 (USD 27)
http://www.rengganishoteljogja.com/
5.     Hotel Indrakila, Heritage Hotel or Red Doors Plus– old royal family house.
450 m / 5 minute walk.
Start from IDR 152,000 (USD 9), or IDR 85,000 without AC (USD 6)
https://www.reddoorz.com/en-id/hotel/indonesia/yogyakarta/mantrijeron/taman-siswa/reddoorz-plus-near-alun-alun-selatan-2?check_in_date=04-06-2018&check_out_date=05-06-2018&rooms=1&sort_by=popular&order_by=desc
6.     Pondok Ijo Guesthouse, with tropical garden and swimming pool
500 m / 5 minute walk.
No published rates in the website, IDR 450,000 (USD 32) at booking.com
7.     Tulips Hotel, with garden and outdoor pool
550 m / 6 minute walk.
Start from IDR 330 (USD 23.5), or IDR 265,000 without AC (USD 19)
No website – telp (62-274) 450137

2. Hotels with Elevators (for those who require typical star rated hotels – however you need to walk a little bit further).

1.     Green Host ✪✪✪✪
“Eco-friendly boutique hotel” (h i p s t e r !)– the whole hotel is filled with hydroponic plants and modern artwork. Indoor swimming pool inside the lobby and next to the restaurant. Nice lounge on the rooftop.
1000 m / 12 minute walk.
Start from 575,000 (USD 41)
2.     Gallery Prawirotaman ✪✪✪✪
Family hotel that “…combines luxurious facilities…” (f a n c y !), with granite tiles, mini-olympic pool, and a serious fitness center.
1200 m / 14 minute walk.
Start from IDR 699,000 (USD 50)
3.     Indies Heritage ✪✪✪
“Offering a modern heritage concept…” (f a k e !), newly constructed art deco building is built around a small swimming pool in the middle.
1200 m / 14 minute walk.
Start from IDR 380,000 (USD 27)
4.     Neo + Avana ✪✪✪
“Surrounded by well known local attractions, [it] is the ideal location to start your journey…” (b o r i n g !). Family hotel packed with tourists.
900 m / 11 minute walk.
Start from IDR 387,600 (USD 28)
5.     Burza ✪✪✪
“…classical and modern ambience for you to enjoy.” Open air lobby/ restaurant makes (an illusion of) this hotel inclusive to the local neighborhood. The open air lobby can be hot in the afternoon (no AC), but in July it should be okay.
1300 m / 15 minute walk.
Start from IDR 385,000 (USD 28)
6.     Adhisthana
“…homey local design into a signature style hotel…” (less-snob-hipster). Lovely ambience, just in the front of familiar café where Rangga and Cinta reunite in AADC 2.
1300 m / 15 minute walk.
Start from IDR 385,000 (USD 28)

Recommended Restaurants

1.     Bu Ageng
Javanese home cooking. No beer. Jl. Tirtodipuran no 13, 350 m (4 minute walk) from the venue.
2.     Nanamia Pizzeria
Garden pizza restaurant with stunning outdoor ambience. Jl. Tirtodipuran no 1, 180 m (2 minute walk) from the venue.
3.     Mediterranea Restaurant by Kamil
Mediterranea food, one of the best in Jogja. Jl. Tirtodipuran no 24A, 400 m (5 minute walk) from the venue.
4.     Lotus Mio
European, Asian, local food. Jl. Tirtodipuran no 10, 290 m (4 minute walk) from the venue.
5.     Rumah Makan Mbah Buyut.
Local food, maybe not the best one but closest to the venue and cheap. No beer. Jl. Suryodiningratan no 3. 110 m (1 minute walk) from the venue.
6.     Sixsenses
European, mostly Spanish food. Jl. DI Panjaitan no 39. 85 m (1 minute walk) from the venue.

More Art Galleries/Cultural Institutions Around the Venue

1.     Kedai Kebun Forum and Restaurant
http://kedaikebun.com/ Local food, busy art gallery. Hang-out place for Jogja artists. Jl. Tirtodipuran no 3, 190 m (2 minute walk) from the venue.
2.     Cemeti-Institute of Art and Society
http://www.cemeti.org/ Jalan Mayjen D.I. Panjaitan No. 41, 87 m (1 minute walk) from the venue.
3.     Kunci Cultural Studies Center
http://kunci.or.id/ , MJ III/100, Jl. Ngadinegaran, 450 m (5 minute walk) from the venue.
4.     Langgeng Art Foundation (and Laf Garden Restaurant)
http://www.langgengfoundation.org/ Jl. Suryodiningratan No.37, 250 m (3 minute walk) from the venue.

There are some other hotels and restaurants, but these are ones that mostly used in art/film related events. Please contact Tito Imanda at imanda@gmail.com if you have questions.

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