“How do you create a movie that defines a generation?” This was the first question posed by The ASEAN in an interview with renowned Indonesian filmmaker Riri Riza, 53. It is a fitting question for Riri, whose film, Petualangan Sherina [Sherina’s Adventure], profoundly resonated with young audiences, resurrecting the appetite for Indonesian cinema in the early 2000s. To millions of Indonesian millennials, this film symbolises their first cinematic experience and remains a nostalgic emblem of their youth.
Banjong Pisanthanakun, the acclaimed 44-year-old Thai filmmaker, turns Southeast Asian nightmares into worldwide movie masterpieces. He has a deep understanding of the allure of horror tales in the region, explaining that these beliefs are ingrained in us. “They’ve been a part of our culture since day one. The fascination endures because people genuinely believe in these supernatural phenomena,” the filmmaker tells The ASEAN.
Thousands braved Jakarta’s blistering heat to experience the live music performances by talented Southeast Asian and South Korean artists at the 2023 Round Festival on 21-22 October 2023. After holding virtual concerts since the event was launched in 2020 as part of the ASEAN–Republic of Korea (ROK) Music Festival, the artists could finally perform before an enthusiastic crowd.
How many clothes do we throw away each year? Or have you ever thought about where all our clothes end up after we are done with them?
The Southeast Asian countries believe that sustainable social and cultural practices are urgently needed to address the challenges posed by climate change at the global, national, and local levels. The call is to revitalise our traditional practices, recognising their role in building resilience to environmental changes while preserving our rich cultural heritage. The Southeast Asian Cultural Heritage Alliance (SEACHA) encourages a deep understanding of traditional practices that harmonise with nature through the adoption of sustainable methods and inherent respect for the preservation of biodiversity.
Water and sanitation management presents many challenges and opportunities in the ASEAN region. This article explores the current state of the sector and link practices rooted in traditions with policy initiatives in selected countries, shaping the sector’s present and future.
As a key partner and close neighbour of ASEAN, Korea is committed to strategic and collaborative efforts relating to cultural heritage.
Southeast Asia, a region celebrated for its vibrant tapestry of cultures, languages, and histories, stands at the cusp of a significant cultural milestone. The proposal for the ASEAN Cultural Heritage List (ACHL) emerges from a recognition of the region’s unique cultural landscape and the need for its preservation. This article delves into the current discussions about the formulation of the ACHL, addresses key aspects of its formation, and summarises the ongoing discussions shaping its future.
An upward trajectory on culture’s transformative impact for development
In the face of complex, multifaceted, and interconnected global challenges, the transformational role of culture for sustainable development has gained particular traction. National and local governments worldwide are increasingly harnessing culture to achieve sustainable development objectives across the public policy spectrum, from education, job creation and social inclusion to climate action, peacebuilding and urban sustainability, among other targets. The inclusion of culture has proven critical to ensuring context-relevant, rights-based, and inclusive sustainable development models, encompassing the intrinsic diversity of societies and supporting the localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).