Ruang Basbeth Bercerita, a media and publishing company founded in 2018 by Ismail Basbeth and Lyza Anggraheni , is ramping up its film production efforts with a slate of new projects.
The company’s co-founder Basbeth discussed several of the upcoming films in a recent meeting. One project, titled “Mustika Rasa Kini“, will narrate, examine, and compare Indonesian recipes across eras. We aim to create a catalog of Indonesian culinary flavors through various forms, including audiovisual presentations, websites, apps, workshops, and seminars,” explained Ismail Basbeth, Director of RBB.
The name Mustika Rasa is inspired by a collection of traditional Indonesian recipes first published during Sukarno’s presidency in 1962 by the Ministry of Agriculture. This classic book reflects Sukarno’s commitment to shaping Indonesia’s food sovereignty.
In addition to Ismail Basbeth, the initiative is co-led by several figures, including Lyza Anggraeni, JJ Rizal, Darwin Nugraha, Imran Hasibuan, and Lasja Susatyo, while receiving support from the Directorate General of Culture.
Another film, “The Light of Fire“, is being produced by Ismail and Lisa. They have brought on director Sesarini to helm the project, as she has a personal connection to Malang, where the story takes place. For more information, on this project you can hear directly from the director/writer
Beyond these specific film projects, Ismail emphasized the company’s focus on fostering collaboration across the industry. He noted the vibrant film market in Jakarta, with both major studios and smaller independent producers present. This, he believes, presents ample opportunities for Ruang Basbeth Bercerita to partner with a diverse array of talent and financiers to bring their creative visions to life.
With this expanded slate of film projects and an eye towards strategic industry partnerships, Ruang Basbeth Bercerita appears poised to make a significant mark on Indonesia’s cinematic landscape in the years to come.
