Indonesian filmmakers are unlikely to be affected by US President Donald Trump's plan to impose a 100% tariff on all films produced abroad and shown in the US. The president's move is considered to have confused Hollywood, which is the center of world film production in the United States itself.
The plan was announced by President Donald Trump through his personal Truth Social account. This policy creates great uncertainty for film production houses that depend on international box office revenue, as well as Indonesian filmmakers who plan to distribute their films to the United States.
"Our movie business has been stolen from the United States by other countries, like stealing 'candy from a baby'. California, with its weak and incompetent governor, is especially hard hit," Trump wrote on Truth Social, Monday (9/29/2025).
This policy also applies to all movies entering America, following his announcement in May 2025. Therefore, to encourage more movie projects to be done in America, President Donald Trump will raise the tariff by 100%.
"Therefore, to solve this long-standing and never-ending problem, I will impose a 100% tariff on all movies produced outside the United States," he continued.
A number of Indonesian films have also been shown in US theaters such as Badarawuhi in Desa Penari and the comedy Agak Laen. With this policy, Indonesian filmmakers have the potential to undo their intention to distribute films to the United States.
However, renowned Indonesian film producer Hanung Bramantyo explained that Indonesian filmmakers can actually reap many times the profits from the number of viewers and screenings in local theaters, without having to distribute their films to other countries, in this case the United States.
"Indonesian films are already profitable many times over with the Indonesian market up to 10 million viewers compared to exported Indonesian films. For example, like my movie, Ipar Adalah Maut, with 4.6 million viewers, it has earned an income of around Rp100 billion and above, while production is at Rp15-18 billion," said Hanung, Saturday (4/10/2025).
Indonesian films already have their own formula and uniqueness that makes them sell well in the country. The formula is not necessarily going to get a good reception in other countries, because each country has its own preferences that are not necessarily the same as Indonesia.
"So indeed, Indonesian film production for now is really watched by Indonesian audiences, almost 100%. Only then is it like having the desire to be marketed outside, Malaysia, the Philippines, Cambodia, all kinds of things. That's usually a bonus, so not selling to them, including the United States, is no problem," he explained.
Therefore, Hanung assessed that President Donald Trump's buzz did not have a significant impact on the Indonesian film industry for now.
"If they want to impose an import tax for movies outside of America on them, it doesn't have any impact for now," he continued.
The success of Indonesian films in the country also does not mean that distribution to the international arena is not important. Film is considered one of the most effective tools in cultural diplomacy and introducing Indonesian culture to other countries.
Movies have the power to convey values, norms, lifestyles, and the identity of a nation that can have a big impact, including on a country's economy. Indonesian filmmakers continue to strive to market their films abroad, one way is through film festivals.
"In terms of exposure, penetration to the outside is important. But for now, what we need is a kind of recommendation. An assessment from an outside party," Hanung explained.
If there are filmmakers in Indonesia who want to distribute their films abroad, a careful research and strategy is needed, because each country has its own culture. This is done so that the movie produced later can be in accordance with the culture in the country and get a good reception from foreign audiences.
"Because each country in the world has its own specifications and needs. We must be able to determine the market. For example, if I want my movie to penetrate Hollywood, then we have to learn exactly what Hollywood is like, what the system is like," he said.
Screening a film made by the nation's children in the United States is also not necessarily the ultimate goal of the filmmaking profession. If you want to excel and gain international recognition, according to Hanung, Indonesian films must first triumph in their own country, and then expand to neighboring countries and Asia.
Only then will the possibility of Indonesian films being successful in the United States become greater and have higher competitiveness.
"We just won Asia. It's like we won Asia, it's extraordinary. We still haven't won Southeast Asia, Thailand was able to enter the top 15 Oscars yesterday, Indonesia has never been able to enter," he said.
Therefore, according to Hanung, the increase in film tariffs from President Donald Trump did not have a significant impact. However, if neighboring countries impose similar policies, it will only provide new problems for Indonesian cinema.
"For example, the closest country is Malaysia, Malaysia raises tariffs on imported films for Indonesia, Indonesia is just like oh we can't get Malaysian audiences, it's a bit heavy," said Hanung.
Read also:
Tria Dianti
The possibility of applying tariffs on films from the United States and even other countries is also said not to be the main problem of the film industry in Indonesia. Hanung explained that strong regulations are needed to support the country's film industry, such as the regulation of movie showtimes in theaters and also the time lag to enjoy them on streaming services.
The short time between movie screenings in theaters and streaming platforms is considered to be able to reduce public interest in coming to the cinema, which can have a major impact on the development of the film industry.
"Well, that will make most viewers instead of coming to the cinema just wait on OTT(Over-The-Top). If, for example, the association asks for it, it might not be strong enough. But it can be encouraged by the government to help. So, the problem of national films, before we go to export, the regulations here should be fixed first, especially the regulation of showtimes," he said.
In line with him, film observer Hikmat Darmawan, explained that the screening of Indonesian films in the United States does not necessarily provide good economic value. This is because the movie market in the United States has a layered infrastructure in terms of distribution.
"For example, the Badarawuhi film was screened in several theaters in America, so formally it entered theaters there. But informally, if it has sufficient economic value to enter there, yes, not necessarily," said Hikmat.
Indonesian films that have also competed in international film festivals are also considered not to have enough ability to enter the US film market and even become a major concern.
Hikmat explained that Indonesia is still pioneering to introduce Indonesian culture through films that are distributed globally. Every time an Indonesian movie or actor starts to appear on international screens, there is always excessive euphoria without being supported by strengthening the domestic industry itself.
"We feel proud that we entered the Oscars, but there was no special effort to lead it. So it hasn't become a market yet. So from the beginning, when we talk about the American market, we haven't really done anything except for individual efforts," he explained.
The films Agak Laen and Badarawuhi, which recently screened in a number of US theaters, are also considered not to provide momentum for Indonesian filmmakers to follow in their footsteps. The specific genre of the two films is also said to be still limited to being enjoyed by Indonesians living abroad, not yet attracting attention from outsiders.
"If you say 100 screens, 200 screens, yes maybe (it affects). But if it turns out that for example Badarawuhi is in an area where there are many migrants. So most likely those who watch Asians or even more specifically many Indonesians," he continued.
Hikmat also sees that the main income of movies in Indonesia is in its own country. New screenings and income from neighboring countries in Southeast Asia are counted as an added bonus only.
"If we want to talk internationally, not America, talking about the international market, Southeast Asia, that's not bad. That is also a second layer revenue stream , the main income is still local," Hikmat explained.
Trump's policy itself is considered to be a kind of weapon. As a result of the policy plan, it is Hollywood that is now panicking, because many major US films have been made in other countries.
"The loss is the Americans themselves. Movies are also actually Hollywood's loss, Mission Impossible, for example, is shooting in several countries right. Indonesia doesn't need to worry too much about the trade war," he concluded.
