About Damien Dematra

Damien Dematra is a novelist, script writer, director, producer, international photographer, and painter. He has written 60 novels in duo language, English and Indonesian, 57 films and TV scenarios, and produced 27 films in many genres. As a photographer, he received two highest achievements in photography: Fellowship in Portraiture and Art Photography from Master Photographer Association and many international rewards, such International Master Photographer of the Year. As a painter, Damien Dematra has produced 365 paintings in one year. His novels in Indonesian language that have been published are: When I Touch the Sky, Obama, The Menteng Boy, The Kampung Boy-a novel based on the life of Buya Ahmad Syafii Maarif, One Million Prayers for Gus Dur, One Million Hearts for Gus Dur, Apparently I’m a Muslim, inspired by music group DEBU (originated from the music group Dust on the Road, USA), In the Name of Allah I Became A Terrorist, God Please Don’t Set Us Apart, Soul Mate, Angels of Death, If Only I Could Hear. Two of his novels using another name are The Deadly Dance (by Katyana) and I Can’t Walk Alone (Mark Andrew). His coming novels soon to be published by Gramedia are OBAMA from Asisi, Kartosoewirjo: a Hero or Terorist?–a historical novel, Gus Dur, the 10th Sunan–a comparative novel, and The Arrow. He is the initiator and the national coordinator of Gerakan Peduli Pluralisme (A Pluralism Movement) in February 2010 to honor the striving for pluralism in Indonesia by Buya Ahmad Syafii Maarif and Gus Dur, the nation teachers. The movement can be viewed in www.gerakanpedulipluralisme.com Damien Dematra is also the Chairman of National Writing Movement, and the movement can be viewed in: www.gerakannasionalmenulis.com