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Hanung Bramantyo Visits Vatican Basilica: A Glimpse into Indonesia’s Iconic Filmmaker’s Multi-faith Family
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Indonesian film icon Hanung Bramantyo recently grabbed headlines when he visited the Vatican City during Christmas, but what’s more striking is the story of his diverse, faith-tolerant family. The renowned director, known for his Muslim faith and close-knit family, shared a video on his Instagram, captioning it as a visit to "the biggest church in Italy, if not the world, where Pope Francis resides."
Hanung’s family tree branches out to different religious roots, with his mother being of Chinese-Javanese descent and practicing Buddhism before converting to Islam upon marrying his father. Meanwhile, other family members embrace Catholicism, Protestantism, and Confucianism.
"We celebrate Christmas with my Catholic relatives in Salatiga and Semarang, while during Eid, they visit us in Yogyakarta," Hanung explained, dismissing notions that his family might participate in the religious services of different faiths. "The church in Vatican City was open to the public, so we went in as tourists," he added, clarifying their visit was not for religious purposes.
Hanung’s family is a living embodiment of religious tolerance and mutual respect, proving that despite differentiations in beliefs, unity and affection can stand strong. The filmmaker, known for helming movies like "Ada Apa dengan Cinta?" and "Gie," centers his family’s mantra of harmony around love and acceptance.
Together, Hanung and his family remind us that diversity in culture and faith can enrich our lives, fostering a society that’s more open-minded and understanding. Their spirit encapsulates Indonesia’s spirit of "Bhineka Tunggal Ika" – unity in diversity.
