Industry Story: From Authentic Characters to Systemic Change – Women in Southeast Asia’s Entertainment Industry Speak Out

Jun 25, 2023

Top women creators and talent from Netflix’s Southeast Asia titles gathered in Jakarta, Indonesia on Thursday to discuss the importance of representation on screen at Netflix’s event, Reflections of Me. Over 200 attendees from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, including press, influencers, and film communities, participated in the event either in-person or virtually.

The panel, moderated by Indonesian actress Marissa Anita (Ali & Ratu Ratu Queens) featured a lineup of speakers who shared their experiences as women in the industry and their journeys in reflecting strong, authentic female characters on screen.

“Women are expected to be something all the time, being the perfect mum, or the perfect wife, to live our lives for the sake of others, to be who others want us to be,” she said. “But I understand how difficult it is to try to be brave enough to make choices for ourselves. That’s why my characters are never black and white—they have weaknesses but also great qualities.”

“At Netflix, we believe that great stories can come from anywhere, and the greatest impact is creating empathy and understanding through the stories we tell,” said Amy Kunrojpanya, Netflix’s Vice President, Public Relations – Asia Pacific. “More people deserve to see their lives on screen, and we want to give power to the experiences of our audiences when they see themselves reflected in our stories.”

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