Bali throws party for ‘Eat Pray Love’ premiere
The Jakarta Post, Kuta
Hollywood movie Eat Pray Love, which features Bali as one of its backdrops, hit the island’s theaters Tuesday evening, drawing enthusiastic responses from viewers.
Local officials and businesses expect the movie to promote tourism on the island.
Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika said he was proud that the island’s beauty was perfectly depicted in the movie.
“This movie is very good, especially for Bali. It has successfully promoted this island’s beauty,” said Pastika after watching the movie with a group of local officials.
“The film not only features Bali’s beautiful scenery, but also shows the world that Bali has a spiritual power,” he said.
Thanks to the movie, the governor added, Bali was now nicknamed “the island of love”, as well as “the island of gods”, “the island of paradise”, and “the island for peace and democracy”.
“We’re very proud to be ‘the island of love’, since love is part of every human being in the world,” he said, adding that this new nickname was expected to raise Bali’s image and attract more tourists.
The movie, starring top Hollywood actress Julia Roberts, premiered on the same day as the opening of the annual 4th Balinale International Film Festival, which this year showcases 29 films and runs until Sunday.
Several consulate generals, local administration officials, council members, tourist operators, journalists and noted actors and actresses attended the premiere.
Ketut Liyer, the Balinese healer figure featured in the movie, also attended the first public showing. “I’m very happy to watch this movie,” he said.
Eat Pray Love was adapted from the novel by Elizabeth Gilbert. It tells the story of Gilbert’s search for her personal identity that took her to Italy, India and Bali.
Gilbert enjoys delicacies in Italy, learns yoga in India and ends her journey in Bali, where she finds love.
Cokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati, chairman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association’s Bali chapter, forecast that Bali would see an increase in tourist arrivals starting in January next year, especially to locations featured in the movie.
“We predict this movie will boom over the next six months,” he said. The movie was released in the US in August.
The Gianyar regent added that projects to improve tourist facilities were underway in Gianyar, particularly in Ubud.
“We will improve the facilities in the hope that more tourists will come here after seeing this movie.”
Besides Ubud, this movie also depicts Padang Padang beach in Pecatu.
Sony Pictures general manager Brett Hogg said he thanked all related parties for giving the movie crew a chance to make the film in Bali.
“We had a fantastic experience here. Thanks to all who really helped this film get done,” Hogg said.
“I really enjoyed my time [filming] in Bali. And we are very proud of Bali.”
Indonesian prominent actor Didi Petet said the movie could pave the way for other international production companies to film in Bali.
“It’s a source of income for our country. We can show the world that Indonesia is a great place for filming,” he said.
Let's eat, pray and love in Bali, the island of love.
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