By: Masayu Yulien Vinanda
Jakarta (21/09)- The government of Wakatobi, WWF-Indonesia and SET Film Workshop officially declared the beginning of a movie production titled “The Mirror Never Lies” to gain support from global communities toward conservation activities in Wakatobi islands, Southeast Sulawesi.
The creative project directed by a young female director Kamila Andini aims at promoting Wakatobi and its high marine biodiversities as well as introducing the life of indigenous Bajo tribe people who are dependent upon marine resources in the island.
The initiative was announced by WWF-Indonesia Marketing and Communication Director Devy Suradji at “the Mirror Never Lies warming celebration,” held on Tuesday (21/09), in Hongkong Café, Central Jakarta. She said, Wakatobi as the “heart” of Global Coral Triangle has high marine biodiversities. Moreover, scientific studies suggested that 90 percent of global coral reef species are found in Wakatobi.

“That’s why it is crucial for WWF to introduce Wakatobi marine biodiversities through this movie, not only bringing this to all conservation practitioners, but also to urban people. As a result, there will be more people who care about Wakatobi and Bajo tribe whose existence relies on Wakatobi marine resources,” she added.
WWF-Indonesia honorary supporter, Nadine Chandrawinata, the Wakatobi’s tourism ambassador who is also the producer of behind the scene film for “The Mirror Never Lies” attended the event.
Meanwhile the Wakatobi District Head, Hugua said that the environmental issues including the area and natural resources protection efforts are global issues. “The Mirror Never Lies” he said, is an effective media to educate public on the importance of responsible resource utilization.
“Everyone who has extracted natural resources has to give back to the environment in return to maintain the ecosystem sustainability. We targeted that this movie will be screened as a must-see movie in conjunction with The Earth Day commemoration on 22 April 2011. Furthermore, this movie is produced by the respectable conservation organization WWF-Indonesia, a credible film association SET Film Workshop, and also the Government of Wakatobi which always put conservation aspect as its work priority. I believe that the collaboration of these parties will give magnetic effect for the earth citizens, raising the concerns toward Wakatobi islands and encouraging them to take part in the islands’ conservation efforts,” Hugua said.
The ecology aspect in this movie, according to the director, Kamila Andini, is packaged through a family drama of Bajo girl named Pakis who strives for searching his father who was lost at the sea. She struggles to rediscover her identity against various life issues faced by her family and Bajo people, whose existence is threatened by global warming and other environmental damages.
The shooting process in Wakatobi will start from the end of September to the late October 2010. All benefits from the movie will be donated to conservation activities in Wakatobi.