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Exclusive: Indonesian horror film Dominion of Darkness has sold to 53 territories, including Taiwan (MovieCloud), Vietnam (Noori), Thailand (Shinesaeng Ad.Venture), the Philippines (Pioneer), Latin America (Mundo) and Russia (The World Pictures).

Since premiering on October 3 at the Indonesian box office, Dominion of Darkness (also known as Kuasa Gelap) has notched more than 1.4 million admissions within 20 days, making the film the sixth Indonesian horror release in 2024 to reach this milestone.

Starring Jerome Kurnia, Lukman Sardi, Astrid Tiar, Lea Ciarachel, JKT48’s Freya and Delia Husein, the film follows a young Catholic priest who encounters a case of a girl whose descent into demonic possession is a chilling reminder of his late sister.

International sales for Dominion of Darkness were handled by Mokster Films.

Directed by Bobby Prasetyo, Dominion of Darkness is produced by Paragon Pictures and Ideosource Entertainment, with co-production by Anami Films, Nuon Digital Indonesia, Legacy Pictures, Netzme, and Kmif.

“With Dominion of Darkness,...

“Blind Pig Who Wants to Fly” (2008) was the Indonesian filmmaker Edwin's first feature film which was very well received and earned him several awards including the Netpac Award at the Taipei Horse Film Festival; the Silver Montgolfiere at the Nantes Three Continents Festival and the Fipresci Prize at the International Film Festival Rotterdam. For his “Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash” (2021) he won Best Director at the Indonesian 42nd Citra Awards and the Golden Leopard at the Switzerland Locarno Film Festival.

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“Borderless Fog”, original title “Kabut Berduri”, is Edwin's latest crime thriller streaming on Netflix. The intense story takes place at the Indonesia-Malaysia border, in the thick and steaming rainforest of Borneo Island where the Dayaks, Malay and Chinese live. Back in the late 60s to the late 90s, both the Malaysian and Indonesian military worked side...

Netflix’s Indonesian thriller, Borderless Fog is an intense movie that dives deep into a dark chapter in the history of the borderlands between Indonesia and Malaysia. Set against a backdrop of political and cultural violence from 1967 to 1990, the film explores the chilling aftermath of oppression, torture, and murder in this region. Amidst the chaos, there’s a spooky local legend named Ambong, who is known to be famous for avenging and decapitating those who have wronged others. Sanja, a determined detective from Jakarta, is not one to be fooled by ghost stories or folklore. Instead, she’s on a mission to uncover the truth behind a series of ghastly murders. As she digs deeper, she discovers that the real monsters are not ghosts but rather people with their own dark motives. Why and how are these people involved in these crimes? Let’s find that out in this cast and character guide.

The fourth episode of Joko Anwar's Nightmares and Daydreams moves back towards the style of Asian horror (I should say Asean actually), while in contrast to the previous ones that took present in the present or close past, it transfers us to1985.

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Wahyu is an unlucky guy. He was abandoned by his mother as a child, but he still thinks he can go to Saudi Arabia and live with her, along with his wife, who feels sympathetic towards his wishes, but has her doubts. The two seem to be in love, but as the story begins, Wahyu hears rumors of her flirting with another local from the slum they live in. The locals make a living by picking up sea oysters and he seems to be quite good at it, but he is also frequently bullied by another local,...

In less than a decade, Netflix has become a production powerhouse in South East Asia, and that fact was reinforced at a showcase the streamer held in the Indonesian capital Jakarta last week, where it showed off its latest batch of original local films and series.

Through aggressive and consistent investment in producing originals, Netflix has gained a market leading position in Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines, and these three countries were the focus of the showcase on June 13. Among the slew of announcements, trailers, first-look stills and clips, Netflix unfurled news on not one, but two zombie projects, a period sex comedy, Thai sci-fi, more horror and action from Indonesia, and a serial killer thriller that could find a global audience.

Read on for details on the biggest Sea titles that Netflix showcased.

Kimo Stamboel on the set of ‘Abadi Nan Jaya’

Abadi Nan Jaya (working title) (Indonesia)

Perhaps...

Joko Anwar, a driving force behind Indonesia’s modern film industry, is the creator of Netflix’s new anthology series Nightmares and Daydreams. The Satan’s Slaves filmmaker slips in and out of these seven episodes, with his fingers directly on the pulse of a select few. However, even when not personally directing or writing, Anwar’s unique touch can be felt in every inch of the journey. What initially looks to be a chain of unconnected stories turns out to be an odyssey with a specific and often unsettling destination.

Unlike other anthologies, there is no particular character who guides the audience in and out of the sub-stories and clarifies their experience. On the contrary, each tale kicks off with no kind of formal introduction — apart from a surreal opening sequence — thus allowing the series to access that certain sensation of nodding off and slipping into a dream. Everything appears...

"What secrets about humanity will be revealed?" An ominous question to get your attention! Netflix has revealed the main official trailer for an anthology series of unsettling sci-fi stories called Joko Anwar's Nightmares and Daydreams, streaming later this week on Netflix worldwide. Not long of a wait! This is the creation of the acclaimed Indonesian genre filmmaker Joko Anwar. It's similar to Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities for Netflix, but telling sci-fi stories from Indonesia instead. Tales of supernatural sci-fi phenomena unfold in this collection of seven mind-bending, interconnected stories. The first of its kind in Indonesian cinema, it's a series about ordinary people encountering mysterious phenomena we have never seen before. Is this a sign of a threat attacking our world? This new universe will be guided by key characters played by prominent Indonesian actors, including Ario Bayu, Fachry Albar, Marissa Anita, Lukman Sardi, and more. "I...

Indonesian filmmaker Joko Anwar (Satan’s Slaves, Impetigore), known internationally for stylish and gory horror, has a supernatural anthology series debuting on Netflix this summer with “Nightmares and Daydreams.” A new teaser gives a closer look at the strange phenomena haunting this dreamy new series.

Joko Anwar’s “Nightmares and Daydreams” arrives globally on Netflix on June 14, 2024.

Netflix describes “Nightmares & Daydreams” as “a supernatural thriller series that shows there isn’t necessarily a rational explanation behind every occurrence.”

Here’s the full official synopsis: “A sci-fi supernatural series about ordinary people encountering strange phenomena that may be keys to the answer about the origin of our world and the imminent threat we will soon face. Characters and plots will intertwine like pieces of a puzzle. And the big picture will be awe-inspiring.”

The seven episode series presents a different story and a new set of actors in each installment, leading up...

Prime Video might be pulling back from Southeast Asian originals, but Netflix remains is doubling down on originals in the region.

The streamer has unveiled several titles from Indonesia and Thailand, and a Chinese-language slate for 2024.

One of the bigger titles on the streamer’s Indonesian slate is sci-fi series Nightmares and Daydreams, which marks Netflix’s first collaboration with Joko Anwar.

Anwar’s horror films are often well-received at the box office, with Satan’s Slaves and its sequel both in the top 10 list for highest-grossing films in the country.

Director Timo Tjahjanto will return with action film The Shadow Strays, after making comedy action flick The Big 4 in 2022, which became the second most-watched non-English film on the streamer. The Shadow Strays will star Ario Bayu, Lukman Sardi, Marissa Anita, Nirina Zubir, Sita Nursanti, Fachri Albar and Asmara Abigail.

The Indonesian slate also includes Borderless Fog, which stars Putri Marino,...

Global streaming giant Netflix has made a significant ongoing commitment to production of original content from Southeast Asia and in the Chinese language.

For 2024, Netflix has unveiled a slate of four Chinese-language series, all hailing from Taiwan. From Thailand, it detailed seven series and one film. From Indonesia, it has committed to five films and a series co-written and directed by the consistently successful Joko Anwar, marking his first partnership with the streamer.

Additionally, Netflix has confirmed the appointment of Maya Huang as its head of Chinese-language content.

The moves stand in sharp contrast to the mid-January happenings at rival global streamer Prime Video, which is cutting staff in the region and ending its brief experiment with Southeast Asian originals.

In Indonesia, Netflix says it is broadening its storytelling with a range of genres including comedy, action, fantasy, and sci-fi thrillers.

“Nightmares and Daydreams,” Anwar’s debut project for the company,...

Action thriller ‘13 Bombs’ is due for a local release on December 23.

US sales agent WME Independent is introducing two Indonesian features to buyers at the American Film Market (AFM) this week: Angga Dwimas Sasongko’s 13 Bombs and Bobby Prasetyo’s Dominion Of Darkness.

WME secured sales rights to 13 Bombs from production company Visinema Pictures at the recent Asian Contents & Film Market (Acfm).

The action thriller centres on a group of terrorists who threaten to explode 13 devices across the heart of metropolis Jakarta. The cast is headed by Rio Dewanto, Putri Ayudya, Chicco Kurniawan and Ardhito Pramono.

Jakarta-based Visinema, which produced the feature with Legacy Pictures,...

Prolific Japanese film director Miike Takashi and Indonesian genre specialist Kimo Stamboel will be among the star names in the ‘On Screen’ section of the Busan International Film Festival given over to TV series.

Miike has made “Connect,” a Korean-language crime fantasy thriller about a man who is kidnapped and has one of his eyes removed by a gang of organ harvesters and transplanted into the body of a notorious serial killer. The unwilling donor now has terrible visions as he witnesses terrifying attacks on the residents of Seoul. The show was written by Nakamura Masaru and Heo Dam (“Monstrum”).

It features Korean talent including Jung Haein in the lead role and Ko Kyungpyo as the serial killer, and Kim Hyejun as the mysterious Irang.

The 6-part, 45 mins per episode series is produced by Studio Dragon and is to be presented as a Star Original on the Disney+ streaming platform.

Indonesia’s Makbul Mubarak is making quite a splash with his debut feature “Autobiography,” which is world premiering at Venice’s Horizons strand and then playing at Toronto’s Contemporary World Cinema section.

The film, which examines the effects of Indonesia’s military dictatorship on the country’s youth, follows a young man torn between loyalty and justice who confronts the truth of his father figure — a retired general — that may destroy them both.

Mubarak, film critic-turned-filmmaker and a Berlinale Talents and Asian Film Academy alumni, previously directed acclaimed short films “The Dog’s Lullaby” (2016), “Malediction” (2017) and “A Plastic Cup of Tea Before Her” (2018).

The cast includes Kevin Ardilova, Arswendy Bening Swara, Yusuf Mahardika, Lukman Sardi and Haru Sandra.

” ‘Autobiography’ is a story very specific to Indonesia because it addresses the legacy of our history, but at the same time, it also addresses the world we are co-existing in now: the heavy price of ignorance,...

Today we have an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Gundala. Indonesia's preeminent comic book superhero and his alter ego enter the cinematic universe to battle the wicked Pengkor and his diabolical squad of orphan assassins in the action-packed movie. Written & Directed by Joko Anwar (Impetigore) and based on the comic by Harya Suraminata, the upcoming movie stars Abimana Aryasatya (12:00 A.M.), Tara Basro (Impetigore), Bront Palarae (Belukar), Ario Bayu (Java Heat) and Lukman Sardi (Abracadabra). Gundala will be available on Digital, Blu-ray, and DVD July 28th from Well Go USA Entertainment.

Based on a popular comic book first published in 1969, Gundala is the first movie in a proposed eight installment franchise launching a new superhero cinematic universe (in the vein of the Marvel Cinematic Universe). In this origins story, which we caught a glimpse of in the first Gundala trailer, Sancaka (Abimana Aryasatya) is a security guard who was struck by lightning,...

Prolific hitmaker Joko Anwar further cements his reputation as one of the non-English-speaking world’s foremost fantasy filmmakers with “Gundala,” an action-packed and emotionally satisfying adaptation of the treasured Indonesian comicbook created by Harya “Hasmi” Suraminata. Set in a bleak future-now Jakarta, where the lightning-powered superhero is the city’s last hope against corrupt politicians and a megalomaniac crime boss, “Gundala” packs a few too many characters and side-stories into the mix but as the first entry in a planned series it’ll do very nicely. On the strength of this, a successful franchise with strong international appeal could be in the making. After attracting 1.7 million admissions in domestic theatrical release in late 2019, Anwar’s latest hit will land on Well Go USA’s streaming platform on July 28.

Featuring in 23 comics published between 1969 and 1982, Gundala has made just one prior screen appearance, in Lilek Sudijo’s cheesy but enjoyable “Gundala...

Multi-territory streaming platform Viu, and regional pay-tv operator HBO Asia Monday begin airing a second localized season of Endemol Shine Group’s crime series “The Bridge.” The Asian adaptation of Nordic noir “The Bridge” is produced by Viu in association with HBO Asia.

The 10-part Asian second season is directed by returning directors Tj Lee and Jason Chong, alongside Zahir Omar.

The new season will be uploaded one episode at a time in Viu’s 16 markets, and on HBO Asia’s network of channels and services across 24 Asian territories. These include HBO Go, HBO and HBO On Demand.

“This second season of ‘The Bridge’ introduces an Indonesian dimension to the Singapore/Malaysia adaptation which escalates the stakes and production value of the established series, making it bigger and better,” said Jessica Kam, head of HBO Asia original production, WarnerMedia Entertainment Networks & Sales, Southeast Asia, Pacific and China, in a prepared statement.

Plano, Texas –Indonesia’s preeminent comic book superhero and his alter ego enter the cinematic universe to battle the wicked Pengkor and his diabolical squad of orphan assassins in the action-packed “Gundala“, debuting on Digital, Blu-ray and DVD July 28 from Well Go USA Entertainment.

Based on a popular comic book first published in 1969, “Gundala”is the first film in a proposed eight film franchise launching a new superhero cinematic universe (in the vein of Marvel). In this origins story, Sancaka (Abimana Aryasatya) is a security guard who was struck by lightning, giving him superhuman powers and turning him into the superhero Gundala. “Gundala”had its international premiere at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival and this release features an all-new English dub, in addition to its original subtitled soundtrack.

Written & Directed by Joko Anwar (“Impetigore“) and based on the comic by Harya Suraminata, “Gundala” stars Abimana Aryasatya (“12:00 A.

"Who are you?" "The people." Well Go USA has released an official Us trailer for the Indonesian superhero action movie Gundala, from writer / director Joko Anwar. Indonesia's preeminent comic book superhero and his alter ego Sancaka enter the cinematic universe to battle the wicked Pengkor and his diabolical squad of orphan assassins. While it may look like this character was made for the big screen, he originally comes from an Indonesian comic book series of the same name. Follow the story of Sancaka, an orphan who lost his father during a riot, intertwined with Pengkor, an orphan who (also) lost his father during a riot. One got struck by lightning, the other got burned by fire. Starring Abimana Aryasatya as the heroic Gundala, and Bront Palarae as Pengkor, with Tara Basro, Ario Bayu, and Lukman Sardi. This looks like a badass superhero movie! Fun to see different versions of superheroes from other countries.

This year’s Locarno Film Festival (Aug 7 -17) lineup includes Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time In Hollywood and Joseph Gordon-Levitt plane thriller 7500, which gets its world premiere at the Swiss showcase. Scroll down for major category lineups.

The 72nd edition of the festival marks the first for incoming artistic director Lili Hinstein who has taken over from Carlo Chatrian. As ever, there is a strong contingent of European and Asian arthouse movies and the Piazza Grande section includes a handful of titles with more mainstream appeal, such as Tarantino’s Cannes pic Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, which rolls out globally in August.

Alongside Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, the open air Piazza Grande screenings will include the world premieres of German-produced hijack thriller-drama 7500, Carice Van Houten starrer Instinct, UK comedy actor Simon Bird’s directorial debut Days Of The Bagnold Summer, French director Stéphane Demoustier...

Di Balik 98 (currently without an English title but literally meaning "Behind '98") tells the story, seen from many perspectives, of Indonesia's recent revolution in 1998, which resulted in the fall of the three-decade-long presidency of Suharto. At the moment Di Balik 98 is the top grossing film this year in Indonesia. This shows how the 1998 Reformation is still a very engaging piece of history for Indonesian Millennials, despite many people having opposing viewpoints on the subject. The film is directed by the very well respected Indonesian actor Lukman Sardi (of 7/24 and Rainbow Troops fame), and among the ensemble cast are Chelsea Islan (Merry Riana), Boy William (Comic 8), Donny Alamsyah (The Raid) and Agus Kuncoro (Garuda Superhero). Check out the trailer below!...

[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...

Soekarno (the original Indonesia spelling of now spell Sukarno) now on wide theatrical release in Indonesia tells the story of Kusno a frequently sick kid that comes to be Indonesia first president Soekarno, and his struggle to lead Indonesia to Independence. The iconic character played by Ario Bayu (Dead Mine, Java Heat) with Lukman Sardi (The Rainbow Troops, The Enlightener) serve as the first vice president and Maudy Kusnaedi (Garuda on My Chest) as Soekarno's first wife among other historic characters and great talent. The director Hanung Bramantyo (The Enlightener, The Verses of Love), one of the most prominent and hard working film directors in Indonesia, said "I want the young generation to be able to witness and comprehend Sukarno and his struggle for...

[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...

Red And White

Stars: Lukman Sardi, Donny Alamsyah, Darius Sinathrya, T.Rifnu Wikana | Written by Conor Allyn, Rob Allyn | Directed by Yadi Sugandi

Set against the historically authentic backdrop of Indonesia’s fight for independence, Red and White is the story of a fictional band of revolutionary cadets fighting against their Dutch oppressors. When their cadet classmates are massacred, the four survivors must overcome their long-fought differences, personality clashes and petty rivalries to band together as guerilla fighters. Leaderless and on the run, the group must strike a blow for Indonesian freedom against the tyrannical Dutch army and free the “red and white” once and for all.

Originally released in Indonesia in time for the countries independence celebrations, Red and White is full of idealism and jingoism and sadly little much else. When I first popped the DVD in I thought I was in for an action packed war movie of Indonesian proportions,...

Due Date (15)

(Todd Phillips, 2010, Us) Robert Downey Jr, Zach Galifianakis, Jamie Foxx, Michelle Monaghan, Danny McBride, Juliette Lewis. 95 mins

Last year's The Hangover was an unexpected, unpredictable delight, but Phillips's follow-up is the exact opposite. Where The Hangover ran around in crazy loops, this travels down a long, straight, well-travelled road where you can see the obstacles and contrivances coming up a mile off. A shame since our odd couple are potentially great – Downey Jr the uptight straight man with a baby on the way; Galifianakis another memorable borderline-sociopath – and there are some laughs. But for every decent joke, there's an unfunny gross-out gag, a "surprise" twist or an unlikely escapade. It feels more like desperation rather than inspiration.

Another Year (12A)

(Mike Leigh, 2010, UK) Jim Broadbent, Ruth Sheen, Lesley Manville. 130 mins

Dependable as ever, kindly Uncle Mike returns with another harvest from the allotment. This one tracks a happy...

Udine Far East Film Festival (Kalyana Shira Films/EZY Productions)

The salacious lives of gigolos get the ultra-camp treatment in "Quickie Express", a gender-bending comedy that takes the word "screwball" literally. Despite Indonesia's strict censorship standards, the film's creators pushed the envelope with their portrayal of a raunchy world where sex is always on demand and plenty in supply, plus an orgy of gay innuendoes.

It was Indonesia's number one local hit in 2007, achieving a festive quality like a Christmas pantomime for adults. An irresistible pick-up for gay festivals or those serving more light-hearted fare, overseas commercial prospects are hampered by off-beat theme and rapid colloquial dialog.

Director Dimas Djayaadiningrat benefited from Joko Anwar's ("Joni's Promise," "Kala") inventive script and production house Kalyana Shira's cosmopolitan, boutique approach to filmmaking. Relocating its sexploitation pastiche to modern uptown Jakarta, the package is technically polished and genre-savvy, invigorated by a heady mix of '70s jive and '80s disco fever music, and whirlwind shoots around bustling outdoor locations and sets of "Boogie Nights" splendor.

The film opens with hard-luck hero Jojo (Tora Sudiro) in a compromising position -- dangling from a Ferris wheel with a deranged thug yelling death threats. It then rewinds to explain how he got there. The hyperbolic plot transports characters from kinky exploits to castration by piranha -- making Jaws seem as harmless as Nemo. It takes a love pentangle, countless car-and-street chases before returning to the cliff-hanging first scene, where more reversals await.

This keeps most viewers busy enough to overlook the humiliation of older women, blatant phallic fixation and segments that play like lazy time-fillers. Acting is fine. More puerile than virile, the leads are anything but Richard Gere lookalikes in Armani suits, but they relish camping up their greasy hairdos and wimpy physiques as a style statement for the film's celebration of weird and unorthodox concepts of beauty and sexuality.

Cast: Tora Sudiro, Lukman Sardi, Amink, Sandra Dewi, Ira Maya Sophia.

Director: Dimas Djayaadiningrat.

Screenwriter: Joko Anwar.

Producer: Nia Dinata.

Director of photography: Roy Lolang.

Art Director: Dimas Djayaadiningrat.

Music: Aghi Narottama, Bemby Gusti, Ramondo Gascaro.

Editor: Wawan I. Wibowo.

Sales: Kalyana Shira Films.

No rating, 117 minutes.