Plastic Tourism
DIRECTOR Ira Setiawati Director
MOVIE TYPING Documentary
Italia Green Film Festival
Plastic Tourism
CAST |
Green Short Film TIME | 18′, 18″
“Plastic Tourism” is more than a documentary; it challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable truths. It is a call to action and testament of the delicate balance between human leisure and environmental responsibility.
Our film explores the paradox of a paradise spoiled by plastic waste. Through immersive visuals and interviews, it unveils the crisis of Gunung Sewu area (UNESCO Geopark), Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta. One of Indonesia’s stunning coastal destinations. The consequences of uncontrolled tourism, the plastic waste emerges as a pervasive threat to the ecosystem.
The film portrays resilience and hope; highlights grassroots movements and innovative local solutions, from beach clean-ups to the creative recycling of plastic into eco-bricks and toys. These meaningful initiatives are achievable.
Central of narrative are local traditions and spirituality; the “Larungan” (offering) to the ocean ceremony which symbolizes gratitude and harmony with the ocean, emphasizing reconnection with our mother earth.
Traditional shadow puppet performance in the end, serves as purification and reflection of responsibility for environment; the Pandawa/the good (action based on the heart) win the battle against Kurawa/the bad (action follows the ego), a guide to righteous (dharma) living, attainment of inner peace through wisdom and selfless action.
Ira Setiawati, born in Jayapura, Papua, Indonesia, 1th January 1973.
In 1988,moved to Yogyakarta to SMA 9 High School, after graduated went to Malang to Brawijaya University. Then worked for manufacturing industry for six years. Went to Cambodia as Organic Food Technology advisor and also had handicraft business there.
In 2011, bought land in Watukodok beach Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta. Developed a centre for environmental education; the buildings were awarded as green architecture, water tanks for rain catchment, a grey water filtration system, biogas. Promote solar panel & wind mill project as main sustainable energy.
Founded Jiwa Laut non profit government organization & its funded from its eco-puncture ecolodges; a social business which the profits are used for social, reduction of plastic waste, environmental & cultural activities. Also supporting the local community by empowering them and using its local natural resources to increase village’s income. Promoting local culture as good media to build wise character & respect the earth; where we are born, live & die.
Making this documentary is the first experience in the movie world & got support by local community.
This is about the director’s feeling of the Yogyakarta beaches worsening condition. The contrast between massive tourism growth and the insufficient capacity of local human resources to manage it wisely. The government has not provided optimal facilities for the tourism industry. There is a lack of training to handle the increasing visitors and their littering, insufficient waste management infrastructure, which negatively impacts local resident’s condition and the environment due to the large amounts of trash.
This documentary wants to raise awareness of the emergency situation; show local residents solutions and life inspiration to tourism stakeholders, government, and visitors.
The hope is with the involvement of all parties, we can restore local culture and wisdom; recognize the imbalance occurring locally in Gunung Kidul (UNESCO site), in Yogyakarta generally, and Indonesia as a whole, which is the world’s second-largest producer of plastic waste.
Ira Setiawati Director
Ira Setiawati Writer
Ira Setiawati Producer
