REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono praised the values contained in the film 99 Light in the Sky of Europe (99 Cahaya di Langit Eropa).
"There are so much of the value displayed in this film; peace, brotherhood, and tolerance," the President said in Djakarta Theatre, Friday night, after the premiere of the film adapted from a book of the same name.
He said, the film gives a direct example of the application of all these values, which are also contained in Islam.
"We are like in a position to be reminded by the Almighty God ... that all [values] could be discovered," he said.
Head of State, who watched the film directed by Guntur Soeharjanto and accompanied by Lady Ani Yudhoyono, agreed with the story in the film; there are Islamic civilization in Europe.
He said that the movie tough that variety of civilizations not aimed to separate human being but rather to unite them.
Furthermore, the President hailed the movie as an outstanding artwork and dealt with delicate and wonderful scenarios. Its dialogue seem natural though full of philosophy.
He said that he is proud of the work because it can be a good lesson for Indonesia's viewer.
President also said that the film was able to evoke memories about Europe both in terms of its beauty and its architecture as well as culinary for frequent travelers to Europe.
"I want to watch it again," said the current President congratulating the celebrities supporting the film.
The movie was adapted from a book of the same name written by Hanum Salsabiela Rais and Rangga Almahendra.
The film, featuring a number of Indonesian youth, among others Abimana Aryasatya, Acha, Raline Shah, Nino Frenandez, Alex Abbad, Marissa Nasution, and Dewi Sandra.
The story was a travel records of Rangga and Hanum - the daughter of Amien Rais, ex- Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) - during their three year stay in Europe when Rangga obtained his Doctoral scholarships in Austria.
During their stay in Europe, the couple undertakes a spiritual journey learning Islamic history in a number of major European cities such as Vienna (Austria), Paris (France), Cordoba and Granada (Spain), and Istanbul (Turkey).
The film, which divided into two series, was showing Islam in Europe which has not been disclosed by the authors trips to historical places of Islam in Europe.
The first series, the film exposes the beauty of Vienna and Paris started by a narrative of a Turkish character, Kara Mustafa Pasha, the Ottoman caliph warlords, who tried to conquer Austria.
The second series of films that scheduled to be launched next year, will feature a trip in Spain and Turkey.
On watching the movie, President Yudhoyono accompanied by, among others, Mrs. Ani Yudhoyono, Amien Rais and his wife, Minister of Forestry Zulkifli Hassan, Minister of State Secretary Sudi Silalahi and Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Mari Elka Pangestu.
The premiere was also attended by stars in the film as well as the author of the book.
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