Barunson E&a, the Korean sales and production firm behind Palme d’Or-winner Parasite, has closed a raft of sales on upcoming Indonesian horror Respati.
The feature has been picked up for North America by Well Go USA, Exponenta Film for Cis and the Baltics, and with Asian distributors for Taiwan (MovieCloud), Vietnam (Mockingbird Pictures) and Mongolia (Filmbridge).
Base Entertainment, which produced the film, closed further deals for Singapore (Clover Films), Malaysia and Cambodia (Purple Plan).
The story centres on a teenager with the ability to enter other people’s dreams, where he witnesses a murderous dark spirit and quickly connects...
The feature has been picked up for North America by Well Go USA, Exponenta Film for Cis and the Baltics, and with Asian distributors for Taiwan (MovieCloud), Vietnam (Mockingbird Pictures) and Mongolia (Filmbridge).
Base Entertainment, which produced the film, closed further deals for Singapore (Clover Films), Malaysia and Cambodia (Purple Plan).
The story centres on a teenager with the ability to enter other people’s dreams, where he witnesses a murderous dark spirit and quickly connects...
- 5/16/2024
- ScreenDaily
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...
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...
- 5/10/2024
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
Producers in Southeast Asia are facing a very different, much quieter landscape to the one in front of them just 12 months ago, as U.S. players rein in their spending to appease shareholders, and neighboring countries such as Korea, Japan and India draw attention.
Southeast Asia, which at one point was considered a key growth opportunity for international streamers such as Prime Video and Disney+, has seen money drain out of its main markets. Spending was reeled in and layoffs hit original production staff amid the global streaming reset of last year, and the region has been one of the worst hit as a result.
In fact, Netflix remains the only major American streamer still commissioning across the region — albeit at what several sources say is on a smaller scale in most countries compared to a few years back. (Netflix insiders refute this.) Disney+ and Prime Video have both completely...
Southeast Asia, which at one point was considered a key growth opportunity for international streamers such as Prime Video and Disney+, has seen money drain out of its main markets. Spending was reeled in and layoffs hit original production staff amid the global streaming reset of last year, and the region has been one of the worst hit as a result.
In fact, Netflix remains the only major American streamer still commissioning across the region — albeit at what several sources say is on a smaller scale in most countries compared to a few years back. (Netflix insiders refute this.) Disney+ and Prime Video have both completely...
- 4/9/2024
- by Jesse Whittock and Sara Merican
- Deadline Film + TV
Whether you love or hate them, remakes have been around for a long time, and they’re not slowing down anytime soon. An update on The Crow is set to arrive this summer, with Hollywood’s version of Speak No Evil not far behind, just as two upcoming examples.
While not all remakes can hold a candle to the original, there’s been no shortage of fantastic movies that reworked genre favorites in thrilling new ways. Some of which even managed to eclipse the original classics, like 1986’s The Fly or 1982’s The Thing.
This week’s streaming picks are dedicated to horror remakes that set themselves apart from the source material, either through expanded storytelling or heightened, visceral horror.
Here’s where you can stream them this week.
For more Stay Home, Watch Horror picks, click here.
The Blob – Tubi
Chuck Russell and Frank Darabont’s remake of...
While not all remakes can hold a candle to the original, there’s been no shortage of fantastic movies that reworked genre favorites in thrilling new ways. Some of which even managed to eclipse the original classics, like 1986’s The Fly or 1982’s The Thing.
This week’s streaming picks are dedicated to horror remakes that set themselves apart from the source material, either through expanded storytelling or heightened, visceral horror.
Here’s where you can stream them this week.
For more Stay Home, Watch Horror picks, click here.
The Blob – Tubi
Chuck Russell and Frank Darabont’s remake of...
- 3/25/2024
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
Netflix has unveiled a raft of Chinese-language titles and upcoming projects from Indonesia and Thailand as it continues to grow original content in Southeast Asia.
The streaming giant revealed four series from Taiwan, eight titles from Thailand and five from Indonesia that would debut on the platform throughout 2024.
From Indonesia, features include Monster, a dialogue-free suspense thriller directed by Rako Prijanto. The film, starring Marsha Timothy, Alex Abbad, and Anantya Kirana, premiered at the Jogja-netpac Asian Film Festival in November.
Further titles from the country include Borderless Fog, a crime thriller set in Borneo, from award-winning filmmaker Edwin; and action...
The streaming giant revealed four series from Taiwan, eight titles from Thailand and five from Indonesia that would debut on the platform throughout 2024.
From Indonesia, features include Monster, a dialogue-free suspense thriller directed by Rako Prijanto. The film, starring Marsha Timothy, Alex Abbad, and Anantya Kirana, premiered at the Jogja-netpac Asian Film Festival in November.
Further titles from the country include Borderless Fog, a crime thriller set in Borneo, from award-winning filmmaker Edwin; and action...
- 2/2/2024
- ScreenDaily
Indonesian horror movies including Satan’s Slaves, May the Devil Take You, and Impetigore have been making waves in recent years, and the latest one to pop up on our radar is titled Respati. Variety shares the above first look image today, along with some new info.
Variety reports, “Barunson E&a, the production company behind Korean Oscar-winner Parasite, is investing in Base Entertainment’s upcoming Indonesian horror film Respati.”
The site notes that Barunson E&a will “take on worldwide sales duties and pre-sell rights at the upcoming European Film Market in Berlin,” which takes place later this month.
The upcoming film tells the story of a teenager with the ability to enter other people’s dreams. When he witnesses a dark spirit taking people’s lives in their dreams, he quickly realizes that it’s related to the mysterious deaths that are happening in the real world.
Sidharta Tata directed Respati.
Variety reports, “Barunson E&a, the production company behind Korean Oscar-winner Parasite, is investing in Base Entertainment’s upcoming Indonesian horror film Respati.”
The site notes that Barunson E&a will “take on worldwide sales duties and pre-sell rights at the upcoming European Film Market in Berlin,” which takes place later this month.
The upcoming film tells the story of a teenager with the ability to enter other people’s dreams. When he witnesses a dark spirit taking people’s lives in their dreams, he quickly realizes that it’s related to the mysterious deaths that are happening in the real world.
Sidharta Tata directed Respati.
- 2/2/2024
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
The campy erotic horror Suitable Flesh, from director Joe Lynch (Mayhem, Chillerama) and adapted from H.P. Lovecraft’s cult favorite short story, is streaming exclusively on Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thrillers and the supernatural. The film will also be available to stream on AMC+.
Psychiatrist Elizabeth Derby becomes obsessed with helping a young patient who’s suffering from extreme personality disorder. However, it soon leads her into occult danger as she tries to escape from a horrific fate. Starring Heather Graham (Boogie Nights), Judah Lewis (The Babysitter), Bruce Davison (X-Men, Ozark) and Barbara Crampton (Superhost).
Suitable Flesh was produced by Crampton, Bob Portal, Inderpal Singh and Joe Wicker.
About Shudder
AMC Networks’ Shudder is a premium streaming video service, super-serving members with the best selection in genre entertainment, covering horror, thrillers and the supernatural. Shudder’s expanding library of film, TV series, and Original Content is...
Psychiatrist Elizabeth Derby becomes obsessed with helping a young patient who’s suffering from extreme personality disorder. However, it soon leads her into occult danger as she tries to escape from a horrific fate. Starring Heather Graham (Boogie Nights), Judah Lewis (The Babysitter), Bruce Davison (X-Men, Ozark) and Barbara Crampton (Superhost).
Suitable Flesh was produced by Crampton, Bob Portal, Inderpal Singh and Joe Wicker.
About Shudder
AMC Networks’ Shudder is a premium streaming video service, super-serving members with the best selection in genre entertainment, covering horror, thrillers and the supernatural. Shudder’s expanding library of film, TV series, and Original Content is...
- 2/2/2024
- by Peter 'Witchfinder' Hopkins
- Horror Asylum
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,...
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,...
- 2/2/2024
- by Sara Merican
- Deadline Film + TV
Barunson E&a, the production company behind Korean Oscar-winner “Parasite,” is investing in Base Entertainment’s upcoming Indonesian horror film “Respati.” The Korean company will also take on worldwide sales duties and pre-sell rights at the upcoming European Film Market in Berlin.
“Respati” tells the story of a teenager with the ability to enter other people’s dreams. When he witnesses a dark spirit taking people’s lives in their dreams, he quickly realizes that it’s related to the mysterious deaths that are happening in the real world.
The film is currently in post-production and aiming for a theatrical release in May this year.
“Respati” is directed by Sidharta Tata, an up-and-coming director who ranked fifth at 2023 Indonesian local box office with his directorial debut “Waktu Maghrib.” His most recent film “Ali Topan” premiered at the Busan International Film Festival later last year and is set to release on Feb.
“Respati” tells the story of a teenager with the ability to enter other people’s dreams. When he witnesses a dark spirit taking people’s lives in their dreams, he quickly realizes that it’s related to the mysterious deaths that are happening in the real world.
The film is currently in post-production and aiming for a theatrical release in May this year.
“Respati” is directed by Sidharta Tata, an up-and-coming director who ranked fifth at 2023 Indonesian local box office with his directorial debut “Waktu Maghrib.” His most recent film “Ali Topan” premiered at the Busan International Film Festival later last year and is set to release on Feb.
- 2/2/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
South Korean producer Barunson E&a is to invest in upcoming Indonesian horror film Respati and has secured worldwide sales rights to the feature ahead of the European Film Market (EFM).
It marks the second investment in a non-Korean title by the company since expanding into international co-production, financing and sales in October 2022. The first was Indonesian action feature 13 Bombs, produced by Jakarta-based Visinema, which screened at Rotterdam earlier this week.
Barunson E&a, which is known as the producer of Oscar-winner Parasite and Kim Je-woon’s black comedy Cobweb, will begin pre-sales of Respati at the EFM, which begins...
It marks the second investment in a non-Korean title by the company since expanding into international co-production, financing and sales in October 2022. The first was Indonesian action feature 13 Bombs, produced by Jakarta-based Visinema, which screened at Rotterdam earlier this week.
Barunson E&a, which is known as the producer of Oscar-winner Parasite and Kim Je-woon’s black comedy Cobweb, will begin pre-sales of Respati at the EFM, which begins...
- 2/2/2024
- ScreenDaily
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,...
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,...
- 2/2/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
“Nightmares & Daydreams” – ‘Satan’s Slaves’ Director Joko Anwar Unveils First Look at Netflix Series
Indonesian filmmaker Joko Anwar (Satan’s Slaves, Impetigore), known internationally for stylish and gory horror, has a supernatural thriller series on the way for Netflix. Anwar recently teased a first look at upcoming series “Nightmares & Daydreams” via Twitter.
Netflix describes “Nightmares & Daydreams” as “A supernatural thriller series that shows there isn’t necessarily a rational explanation behind every occurrence.”
Between Anwar’s body of horror works so far and the ominous first look image, above and below, the series is already shaping up to be a creepy one.
The series was initially announced in 2022 by Deadline as part of a huge slate of Indonesian projects that included several new series and movies from renowned Indonesian filmmakers, including Joko Anwar. The outlet reported to expect “Nightmares & Daydreams” to follow multiple storylines that would see ordinary people encountering strange, eerie phenomena.
“Indonesia is so full of unique and extraordinary stories. I’m always...
Netflix describes “Nightmares & Daydreams” as “A supernatural thriller series that shows there isn’t necessarily a rational explanation behind every occurrence.”
Between Anwar’s body of horror works so far and the ominous first look image, above and below, the series is already shaping up to be a creepy one.
The series was initially announced in 2022 by Deadline as part of a huge slate of Indonesian projects that included several new series and movies from renowned Indonesian filmmakers, including Joko Anwar. The outlet reported to expect “Nightmares & Daydreams” to follow multiple storylines that would see ordinary people encountering strange, eerie phenomena.
“Indonesia is so full of unique and extraordinary stories. I’m always...
- 1/16/2024
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
Created by Sashti Nandani, and co-directed by Kamila Andini and Ifa Isfansyah, the five-episode series opens with flashbacks of a terminally ill Soeraja (Pritt Timothy) is visited by, and who ends up pleading his son Lebas (Arya Saloka) to find a woman called Jeng Jah (Dian Sastrowardoyo). The lad is given a tin jar which contains a key to a safe in his grandfather's office, but when he gets there, his only clues become an old photograph showing a big group of people, and a bunch of letters written to Soeraja by Dasiyah that happens to be Jeng Jah's second name.
Follow our tribute to Netflix by clicking on the image below
Based on the eponymous best-selling novel written by Ratih Kumala, the Netflix series “Cigarette Girl” is one of the most interesting shows currently showing on the popular streaming platforms, vintage not only in terms of the era it plays in,...
Follow our tribute to Netflix by clicking on the image below
Based on the eponymous best-selling novel written by Ratih Kumala, the Netflix series “Cigarette Girl” is one of the most interesting shows currently showing on the popular streaming platforms, vintage not only in terms of the era it plays in,...
- 1/14/2024
- by Marina D. Richter
- AsianMoviePulse
The Indonesian film industry is poised to spread its wings globally as the country’s filmmaking boom is the subject of a focus at the Busan International Film Festival.
Films from the country now routinely get selected and win prizes at major international festivals. The local market in Indonesia, which has the fourth-largest population in the world with 277 million, is rapidly expanding with homegrown productions accounting for a significant share. Indonesia is also bolstering its cultural policies that include an annual $13 million international co-production grant. Featured at Busan this year are 15 features, shorts and series.
The festival has been inviting Indonesian films since 1996. In 2004, the late Kim Ji-seok, after whom one of the festival’s top awards is named now, curated a program titled ‘Garin [Nugroho] and the Next Generation: New Possibility of Indonesian Cinema.’ “I realized that the next generation is already visible, but overlooked,” festival programmer Park Sungho told Variety.
Films from the country now routinely get selected and win prizes at major international festivals. The local market in Indonesia, which has the fourth-largest population in the world with 277 million, is rapidly expanding with homegrown productions accounting for a significant share. Indonesia is also bolstering its cultural policies that include an annual $13 million international co-production grant. Featured at Busan this year are 15 features, shorts and series.
The festival has been inviting Indonesian films since 1996. In 2004, the late Kim Ji-seok, after whom one of the festival’s top awards is named now, curated a program titled ‘Garin [Nugroho] and the Next Generation: New Possibility of Indonesian Cinema.’ “I realized that the next generation is already visible, but overlooked,” festival programmer Park Sungho told Variety.
- 10/9/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Distribution in Indonesia was the subject of a lively debate at the Busan International Film Festival’s Asian Contents and Film Market.
With 277 million people, Indonesia has one of the largest populations in the world. However, geographically it is an archipelago and for its population, the country is under-screened with just 2,300 cinema screens. Despite this, box office is booming. The 2022 total surpassed pre-pandemic 2019 levels, with more than 54 million admissions. Indonesia also operates under a unique distribution model in that there are no independent distributors. Producers instead deal directly with the country’s three major multiplex chains and a smattering of small cinemas in second and third tier cities.
“The country’s span is from Dublin to Istanbul, but we have only 2,300 screens,” said producer Angga Dwimas Sasangko of Visinema, whose “Ali Topan” is screening at Busan. Sasangko was speaking at a panel on Indonesian distribution that also included producer Shanty...
With 277 million people, Indonesia has one of the largest populations in the world. However, geographically it is an archipelago and for its population, the country is under-screened with just 2,300 cinema screens. Despite this, box office is booming. The 2022 total surpassed pre-pandemic 2019 levels, with more than 54 million admissions. Indonesia also operates under a unique distribution model in that there are no independent distributors. Producers instead deal directly with the country’s three major multiplex chains and a smattering of small cinemas in second and third tier cities.
“The country’s span is from Dublin to Istanbul, but we have only 2,300 screens,” said producer Angga Dwimas Sasangko of Visinema, whose “Ali Topan” is screening at Busan. Sasangko was speaking at a panel on Indonesian distribution that also included producer Shanty...
- 10/8/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Hong Kong star Chow Yun-fat receives Asian Filmmaker of the Year award.
A raft of star actors and directors from across Asia helped open the 28th Busan International Film Festival tonight (October 4), led by Hong Kong film icon Chow Yun-fat.
The acclaimed star of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and The Killer took to the stage at the festival in South Korea to accept the honorary Asian Filmmaker of the Year award.
Speaking to a packed audience at the outdoor theatre of the Busan Cinema Center, Chow said: “It’s been exactly 50 years since I started my career as an actor.
A raft of star actors and directors from across Asia helped open the 28th Busan International Film Festival tonight (October 4), led by Hong Kong film icon Chow Yun-fat.
The acclaimed star of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and The Killer took to the stage at the festival in South Korea to accept the honorary Asian Filmmaker of the Year award.
Speaking to a packed audience at the outdoor theatre of the Busan Cinema Center, Chow said: “It’s been exactly 50 years since I started my career as an actor.
- 10/4/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
“I hope we can communicate and reconcile again,” said Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon on the opening night of the South Korean city’s film festival.
With so much of the dialogue in opening drama “Because I Hate Korea” discussing Korean societal rigidities, group loyalties, long working hours and poor pay (which cause the protagonist to emigrate to laid-back New Zealand), it is easy to forget that many of these characteristics are what may have saved this year’s Busan International FIlm Festival from going off the rails.
Mid-year, the festival’s aging senior management had a self-inflicted meltdown (a senior moment?) when chairman and co-founder Lee Yong-kwan set off a chain of events that caused multiple resignations, highlighting the old city-versus-festival political divide and alienating local sponsors and industry guilds.
This was dirty laundry that Busan should have washed out of its system in the years-long aftermath of the 2014 “The...
With so much of the dialogue in opening drama “Because I Hate Korea” discussing Korean societal rigidities, group loyalties, long working hours and poor pay (which cause the protagonist to emigrate to laid-back New Zealand), it is easy to forget that many of these characteristics are what may have saved this year’s Busan International FIlm Festival from going off the rails.
Mid-year, the festival’s aging senior management had a self-inflicted meltdown (a senior moment?) when chairman and co-founder Lee Yong-kwan set off a chain of events that caused multiple resignations, highlighting the old city-versus-festival political divide and alienating local sponsors and industry guilds.
This was dirty laundry that Busan should have washed out of its system in the years-long aftermath of the 2014 “The...
- 10/4/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
It’s no exaggeration to say that Korea’s Busan International Film Festival (Biff) has been through a fair amount of drama this year.
The turmoil started in May when Biff chairman Lee Yong-kwan appointed a close associate, Cho Jongkook, as managing director alongside artistic director Huh Moonyung, a decision that proved highly unpopular with some sectors of the local Korean film industry.
Huh resigned, and in an apparently unrelated development, was accused of sexual harassment by a festival employee around the same time. Lee also resigned, Cho was dismissed by the Biff board, and Oh Seok-geun, director of Busan’s Asian Contents & Film Market (Acfm), who had supported Lee’s decision to hire Cho, also stepped down. By early July, four of the festival’s top management were out of the door.
Fortunately, the festival has a strong layer of middle management with many years experience. When the top brass departed,...
The turmoil started in May when Biff chairman Lee Yong-kwan appointed a close associate, Cho Jongkook, as managing director alongside artistic director Huh Moonyung, a decision that proved highly unpopular with some sectors of the local Korean film industry.
Huh resigned, and in an apparently unrelated development, was accused of sexual harassment by a festival employee around the same time. Lee also resigned, Cho was dismissed by the Biff board, and Oh Seok-geun, director of Busan’s Asian Contents & Film Market (Acfm), who had supported Lee’s decision to hire Cho, also stepped down. By early July, four of the festival’s top management were out of the door.
Fortunately, the festival has a strong layer of middle management with many years experience. When the top brass departed,...
- 10/3/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Indonesia has recently gained momentum in producing numerous captivating films. Since the 21st century, Indonesian cinema, particularly in the realm of independent films, has experienced a remarkable resurgence. These films have found their way to prestigious film festivals, earning acclaim through notable awards. Today, the domestic market in Indonesia—with its fourth-largest population—is undergoing expansion due to the rise in screen numbers, especially in multiplexes, with local productions having captured the majority of the market share. Furthermore, as one of the countries with its film industry that made the fastest recovery from the pandemic, Indonesia is bolstering its cultural policies to nurture the film industry's growth and foster emerging Indonesian filmmakers.
Focusing on Indonesia's fast-growing film industry, the Special Program in Focus will introduce 7 features and 5 short films, including series which will be presented on Netflix. Mouly Surya and Kamila Andini, two of the most prominent female directors in Asia; Joko Anwar,...
Focusing on Indonesia's fast-growing film industry, the Special Program in Focus will introduce 7 features and 5 short films, including series which will be presented on Netflix. Mouly Surya and Kamila Andini, two of the most prominent female directors in Asia; Joko Anwar,...
- 8/23/2023
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
The ongoing renaissance in the Indonesian film industry will be celebrated at the upcoming Busan International Film Festival.
Films from the country now routinely get selected and win prizes at major international festivals. The local market in Indonesia, which has the fourth-largest population in the world, is rapidly expanding with a boom in screen count and with homegrown productions capturing the majority of the market share. Indonesia is also bolstering its cultural policies to nurture the film industry’s growth and foster emerging Indonesian filmmakers.
Featured at Busan will be six features, five shorts and a series. The first two episodes of Netflix’s “Cigarette Girl” by Kamila Andini and Ifa Isfansyah, which delves into the life of a female protagonist entwined with the 1960s Indonesian cigarette industry, will world premiere at the festival.
Another world premiere, “24 Hours with Gaspar” by Yosep Anggi Noen (2020 Locarno winner “The Science of Fictions”), follows Gaspar,...
Films from the country now routinely get selected and win prizes at major international festivals. The local market in Indonesia, which has the fourth-largest population in the world, is rapidly expanding with a boom in screen count and with homegrown productions capturing the majority of the market share. Indonesia is also bolstering its cultural policies to nurture the film industry’s growth and foster emerging Indonesian filmmakers.
Featured at Busan will be six features, five shorts and a series. The first two episodes of Netflix’s “Cigarette Girl” by Kamila Andini and Ifa Isfansyah, which delves into the life of a female protagonist entwined with the 1960s Indonesian cigarette industry, will world premiere at the festival.
Another world premiere, “24 Hours with Gaspar” by Yosep Anggi Noen (2020 Locarno winner “The Science of Fictions”), follows Gaspar,...
- 8/22/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Whenever I talk to people from Malaysia or Indonesia, they do not fail to mention that the mainstream cinema of their countries, and essentially the most popular movies, consist mostly of horror and romantic movies. These titles are very rarely exported, to festivals for example, but it seems that in recent years, Netflix, in its constant search for context, has decided to pick up a number, thus allowing them to reach an international audience. Perhaps the reason is the success of directors like Joko Anwar, who has managed to raise the horror genre to rather high levels. Ruben Adrian attempts to do something similar with “Spirited”, by mixing horror with fantasy, in a combination that is quite popular nowadays.
Click on the image below to follow our Tribute to Netflix
“Spirited” or “Jagat Arwah”, the Indonesian name of the film, opens up with an introductory scene about the mythology that forms the main story,...
Click on the image below to follow our Tribute to Netflix
“Spirited” or “Jagat Arwah”, the Indonesian name of the film, opens up with an introductory scene about the mythology that forms the main story,...
- 6/8/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
The Sundance Film Festival Asia, an offshoot of the Sundance Institute, is to set up camp in Taipei, Taiwan this summer. The three-day mini festival will run Aug. 18-20 and be put together in association with local organizer G2Go Entertainment.
The event will showcase a handful of films curated by the Sundance Institute and host a short film competition that is open only to Taiwanese productions.
Panel discussions will accompany the festival to foster artistic exchange, providing opportunities for the Taiwan film industry to connect with Sundance’s executive team, and elevating Taiwan’s image and presence in the global independent film industry.
The jury for the Taiwan short film competition, includes: Kim Yutani, director of programming, Sundance Film Festival, Heidi Zwicker, Sundance senior programmer and Mike Plante, Sundance’s senior programmer, for short films. The winning film will receive a Nt$50,000 cash prize.
“The Asia edition is a...
The event will showcase a handful of films curated by the Sundance Institute and host a short film competition that is open only to Taiwanese productions.
Panel discussions will accompany the festival to foster artistic exchange, providing opportunities for the Taiwan film industry to connect with Sundance’s executive team, and elevating Taiwan’s image and presence in the global independent film industry.
The jury for the Taiwan short film competition, includes: Kim Yutani, director of programming, Sundance Film Festival, Heidi Zwicker, Sundance senior programmer and Mike Plante, Sundance’s senior programmer, for short films. The winning film will receive a Nt$50,000 cash prize.
“The Asia edition is a...
- 5/26/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
The Indonesian superhero outing is the second entry in the Bumilangit Cinematic Universe.
Premiere Entertainment Group (Peg) has licensed Indonesian superhero feature Sri Asih to Shout! Studios for North America.
Shout! is planning a release on multiple platforms later this year. The film was released theatrically in Indonesia on 1,270 screens in November and later premiered on Disney+ Hotstar in Indonesia and selected Asian territories.
Produced by Screenplay Bumilangit in association with Sk Global, Sri Asih is the second installment of the Bumilangit Cinematic Universe, a series of superhero films based on the more 500 comic book characters in the library of Indonesian publishing company Bumilangit.
Premiere Entertainment Group (Peg) has licensed Indonesian superhero feature Sri Asih to Shout! Studios for North America.
Shout! is planning a release on multiple platforms later this year. The film was released theatrically in Indonesia on 1,270 screens in November and later premiered on Disney+ Hotstar in Indonesia and selected Asian territories.
Produced by Screenplay Bumilangit in association with Sk Global, Sri Asih is the second installment of the Bumilangit Cinematic Universe, a series of superhero films based on the more 500 comic book characters in the library of Indonesian publishing company Bumilangit.
- 5/23/2023
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Sequel to the great Satan's Slaves, “Communion” is the first Indonesian film to be released in IMAX format, and a huge box office success which has already become the third highest-grossing Indonesian film of all time, with 6.3 million viewers.
Satan's Slaves 2: Communion” is screening at Udine Far East Film Festival
The film begins in the 50's actually, when a photographer is “invited” by a friend into a truly hellish setting, where a number of bodies have been exhumed and used for some sort of satanic ritual, with the friend asking the photographer to do everything in his power to let people know about what is happening. Back in the 80s, several years after they managed to save themselves from the terrible events that resulted in the death of their mother and the youngest sibling, Ian, the family are now living in a block of flats. Rini, Toni and Bondi...
Satan's Slaves 2: Communion” is screening at Udine Far East Film Festival
The film begins in the 50's actually, when a photographer is “invited” by a friend into a truly hellish setting, where a number of bodies have been exhumed and used for some sort of satanic ritual, with the friend asking the photographer to do everything in his power to let people know about what is happening. Back in the 80s, several years after they managed to save themselves from the terrible events that resulted in the death of their mother and the youngest sibling, Ian, the family are now living in a block of flats. Rini, Toni and Bondi...
- 4/24/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Universal Pictures will Release Blumhouse’s Five Nights At Freddy’S on Friday, October 27, 2023: "Can you survive five nights?
The terrifying horror game phenomenon becomes a blood-chilling cinematic event, as Blumhouse— the producer of M3GAN, The Black Phone and The Invisible Man—joins forces with legendary game creator Scott Cawthon for Five Nights at Freddy’s.
The film follows a troubled security guard as he begins working at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. While spending his first night on the job, he realizes the night shift at Freddy’s won’t be so easy to make it through.
Starring Josh Hutcherson, Matthew Lillard, Elizabeth Lail, Kat Conner Sterling, Piper Rubio and Mary Stuart Masterson. Five Nights at Freddy’s is directed by Emma Tammi and is written by Scott Cawthon, Emma Tammi and Seth Cuddeback.
The film’s iconic animatronic characters will be created by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.Five Nights...
The terrifying horror game phenomenon becomes a blood-chilling cinematic event, as Blumhouse— the producer of M3GAN, The Black Phone and The Invisible Man—joins forces with legendary game creator Scott Cawthon for Five Nights at Freddy’s.
The film follows a troubled security guard as he begins working at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. While spending his first night on the job, he realizes the night shift at Freddy’s won’t be so easy to make it through.
Starring Josh Hutcherson, Matthew Lillard, Elizabeth Lail, Kat Conner Sterling, Piper Rubio and Mary Stuart Masterson. Five Nights at Freddy’s is directed by Emma Tammi and is written by Scott Cawthon, Emma Tammi and Seth Cuddeback.
The film’s iconic animatronic characters will be created by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.Five Nights...
- 4/7/2023
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Johnnie To, Watanabe Hirobumi and Jang Sun-woo set to attend.
The Far East Film Festival (Feff), held in the Italian town of Udine, has revealed the full line-up for its landmark 25th edition, which is set to include appearances from filmmakers Johnnie To, Watanabe Hirobumi and Jang Sun-woo.
Running April 21-29, the festival will open with a double bill: He Shuming’s Ajoomma, the first co-production between Singapore and South Korea; and black comedy Bad Education by Taiwan’s Giddens Ko. It will close with Zhang Yimou’s Chinese blockbuster Full River Red.
The festival will screen 78 Asian films from 14 countries,...
The Far East Film Festival (Feff), held in the Italian town of Udine, has revealed the full line-up for its landmark 25th edition, which is set to include appearances from filmmakers Johnnie To, Watanabe Hirobumi and Jang Sun-woo.
Running April 21-29, the festival will open with a double bill: He Shuming’s Ajoomma, the first co-production between Singapore and South Korea; and black comedy Bad Education by Taiwan’s Giddens Ko. It will close with Zhang Yimou’s Chinese blockbuster Full River Red.
The festival will screen 78 Asian films from 14 countries,...
- 4/6/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Italy’s Far East Film Festival unveiled a power-packed lineup Wednesday for its 25th anniversary edition. The largest cinema event in Europe specializing in popular moviemaking from Asia, Feff will open April 21 with an inspired double bill, He Shuming’s hit Korea-Singapore co-production Ajoomma followed by first-time Taiwanese director Kai Ko’s black comedy Bad Education. And on April 29, the curtain will come down on the festival with the Italy premiere of legendary Chinese director Zhang Yimou’s latest blockbuster, Full River Red. Between those dates, the festival will screen 78 Asian films from 14 countries, including nine world premieres.
The organizers of Feff, founded in 1999 in the picturesque northern Italian city of Udine by festival pioneers Sabrina Baracetti and Thomas Bertacche, say the 2023 selection “aims to showcase the immense complexity of Asia more than ever before.” The lineup indeed presents a compelling snapshot of a wildly diverse content’s commercial cinema in flux.
The organizers of Feff, founded in 1999 in the picturesque northern Italian city of Udine by festival pioneers Sabrina Baracetti and Thomas Bertacche, say the 2023 selection “aims to showcase the immense complexity of Asia more than ever before.” The lineup indeed presents a compelling snapshot of a wildly diverse content’s commercial cinema in flux.
- 4/6/2023
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Far East Film Festival in Italy’s Udine will open with a double bill of He Shuming’s “Ajoomma” and Kai Ko’s “Bad Education.” It will close with Zhang Yimou’s blockbuster period epic “Full River Red.”
In between, the festival will showcase a stunning 78-title array of commercial and art-house films from across East Asia. Operating according to a motto of diversity –implying cultural asymmetries and artistic multiplicities – the 25th edition of the festival will run April 21-29.
Organizers say that their selection “shows in real time how the cinemas of East and Southeast Asia have re-emerged from the gruelling period of the pandemic, not all in the same way and not all with the same results.”
They point to the impact of Covid, politics and emigration from Hong Kong, and the recent resurgence of Cantonese-language cinema.
Similarly, Udine’s organizers note the recent box office struggles of South Korean cinema,...
In between, the festival will showcase a stunning 78-title array of commercial and art-house films from across East Asia. Operating according to a motto of diversity –implying cultural asymmetries and artistic multiplicities – the 25th edition of the festival will run April 21-29.
Organizers say that their selection “shows in real time how the cinemas of East and Southeast Asia have re-emerged from the gruelling period of the pandemic, not all in the same way and not all with the same results.”
They point to the impact of Covid, politics and emigration from Hong Kong, and the recent resurgence of Cantonese-language cinema.
Similarly, Udine’s organizers note the recent box office struggles of South Korean cinema,...
- 4/5/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Scott Stoops has been elevated to Partner at management and production co. Good Fear Content, Partners Chris Bender and Jake Weiner announced on Tuesday.
Related Story Buchwald Promotes Rob Kim to Co-Head of West Coast Related Story Banijay, Fremantle, All3Media & Zdf Debate Market Economics And Writers' Strike: "When One Door Closes, Another Opens" — Series Mania Related Story Danny DeVito Sets Fall Broadway Return With Daughter Lucy In Theresa Rebeck Play 'I Need That'
A manager at Good Fear since its 2015 founding, Stoops’ roster includes numerous prominent writers and directors across film and TV, a number of which have reached EP or Co-ep level. Among his most notable clients is Megan McDonnell, who was the first writer in on Captain Marvel sequel The Marvels, after serving as a staff writer on the Emmy-winning WandaVision and its forthcoming spin-off Agatha: Coven of Chaos, as well as Apple’s Dark Matter. Others include Rayna McClendon,...
Related Story Buchwald Promotes Rob Kim to Co-Head of West Coast Related Story Banijay, Fremantle, All3Media & Zdf Debate Market Economics And Writers' Strike: "When One Door Closes, Another Opens" — Series Mania Related Story Danny DeVito Sets Fall Broadway Return With Daughter Lucy In Theresa Rebeck Play 'I Need That'
A manager at Good Fear since its 2015 founding, Stoops’ roster includes numerous prominent writers and directors across film and TV, a number of which have reached EP or Co-ep level. Among his most notable clients is Megan McDonnell, who was the first writer in on Captain Marvel sequel The Marvels, after serving as a staff writer on the Emmy-winning WandaVision and its forthcoming spin-off Agatha: Coven of Chaos, as well as Apple’s Dark Matter. Others include Rayna McClendon,...
- 3/21/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Starting with Joko Anwar’s “Gundala”, Indonesia has been building its own superhero cinematic universe, in an effort that also seems to aim at creating a new star system within the country. Thus “The Legend of Gatotkaca” begins a new film series based on Satria Dewa, essentially introducing the character of Gatotkaca, who is not based on a comic but is a actually a character from the Mahabharata, while his story is interspersed with with elements from Indonesian mythology.
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
The rather labyrinthine story begins with an attack of an individual that looks suspiciously a lot like a Sith from Star Wars, against a family whose house is in the middle of the woods. Years later, the boy of the family, Yuda, is a young man down on his luck, as the fact that he has to take care of his mentally ill mother,...
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
The rather labyrinthine story begins with an attack of an individual that looks suspiciously a lot like a Sith from Star Wars, against a family whose house is in the middle of the woods. Years later, the boy of the family, Yuda, is a young man down on his luck, as the fact that he has to take care of his mentally ill mother,...
- 2/17/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Exclusive: Premiere Entertainment Group has acquired world sales rights to the Indonesian superhero action film Sri Asih, starring Pevita Pearce, and will launch sales at EFM.
The film, produced by Indonesian production company Screenplay Bumilangit in association with Sk Global, was released theatrically in Indonesia on 1,270 screens in November and is set to premiere on Disney+ Hotstar in Indonesia and select Asian territories.
Sri Asih is the second installment from the Bumilangit Cinematic Universe (Bcu), a series of superhero films drawing on a library of more than 500 comic book characters published by Indonesian content company Bumilangit, following Gundala (2019).
The film follows Alana (Pearce), a young woman trying to find her own identity amidst a world of crime and corruption. She also happens to be the reincarnated Goddess Asih, protector of the masses and is tasked with preventing a demon spirit commander from releasing the Fire Goddess from captivity inside a volcano.
The film, produced by Indonesian production company Screenplay Bumilangit in association with Sk Global, was released theatrically in Indonesia on 1,270 screens in November and is set to premiere on Disney+ Hotstar in Indonesia and select Asian territories.
Sri Asih is the second installment from the Bumilangit Cinematic Universe (Bcu), a series of superhero films drawing on a library of more than 500 comic book characters published by Indonesian content company Bumilangit, following Gundala (2019).
The film follows Alana (Pearce), a young woman trying to find her own identity amidst a world of crime and corruption. She also happens to be the reincarnated Goddess Asih, protector of the masses and is tasked with preventing a demon spirit commander from releasing the Fire Goddess from captivity inside a volcano.
- 2/16/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Imax has unveiled a multi-theater deal with Cinema 21, Indonesia’s largest cinema chain, for ten new giant screens with laser projection systems.
The agreement expands Imax’s partnership with Cinema 21 that began in 2012 and brings to 20 the size of its expected footprint in Indonesia. Four of the new screens are set to be located in commercial shopping malls in Bandung, Denpasar, West Java and Jakarta, with the other six theaters to be rolled out by 2027.
“As the world’s fourth most populous nation and home to a thriving moviegoing audience, Indonesia holds enormous promise for Imax and we are excited to deepen our commitment to this market with a world-class partner such as Cinema Xxi,” Richard Gelfond, CEO of Imax, said in a statement.
The agreement also follows Imax last releasing its first Indonesian film, Satan’s Slave: Communion. The horror film and sequel to the director Joko Anwar’s...
The agreement expands Imax’s partnership with Cinema 21 that began in 2012 and brings to 20 the size of its expected footprint in Indonesia. Four of the new screens are set to be located in commercial shopping malls in Bandung, Denpasar, West Java and Jakarta, with the other six theaters to be rolled out by 2027.
“As the world’s fourth most populous nation and home to a thriving moviegoing audience, Indonesia holds enormous promise for Imax and we are excited to deepen our commitment to this market with a world-class partner such as Cinema Xxi,” Richard Gelfond, CEO of Imax, said in a statement.
The agreement also follows Imax last releasing its first Indonesian film, Satan’s Slave: Communion. The horror film and sequel to the director Joko Anwar’s...
- 2/14/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
After being dormant for 3 years since the first feature “Gundala”, the announced Bumilangit Cinematic Universe from Indonesia remained dormant for a few years until springing back to life last year, first with the release of “Sri Asih” and now followed by the latest Indonesian comic-book adaptation “Virgo and the Sparklings”.
Synopsis
The story follows Riani and her schoolmates Ussy, Monica, and Sasmi, who together form the band Virgo and The Sparklings and embark on the beginnings of a musical career. However, the initially successful debut of the band is interrupted by a spate of magical attacks on ordinary people, leading Riani and her bandmates to don costumes to fight back against the mysterious attack.
Produced by Joko Anwar, “Virgo and the Sparklings” stars Adhisty Zara, Ashira Zamita, Satine Zaneta, Mawar Eva De Jongh, Rebecca Klopper, Rachel Florencia and Bryan Domani. It is scheduled to release in Indonesian theatres on March 2nd,...
Synopsis
The story follows Riani and her schoolmates Ussy, Monica, and Sasmi, who together form the band Virgo and The Sparklings and embark on the beginnings of a musical career. However, the initially successful debut of the band is interrupted by a spate of magical attacks on ordinary people, leading Riani and her bandmates to don costumes to fight back against the mysterious attack.
Produced by Joko Anwar, “Virgo and the Sparklings” stars Adhisty Zara, Ashira Zamita, Satine Zaneta, Mawar Eva De Jongh, Rebecca Klopper, Rachel Florencia and Bryan Domani. It is scheduled to release in Indonesian theatres on March 2nd,...
- 1/29/2023
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
As the first stages of normalicy following the lessening of restrictions from the pandemic at large, a series of highly enjoyable genre movies emerged this year that proved to hit harder than expected. While not hitting as high as previous years, the selection of films produced throughout the year are bigger and grander in scope, with the effects of the looser restrictions meaning that a more traditional style could be attempted. That meant that numerous high-quality films could be utilized, with masters of the craft including Takashi Shimizu in Japan, Erik Matti in the Philippines and Joko Anwar in Indonesia, among others, returning to the genre, producing content that carries the stamp of quality from their past catalog. In addition to their efforts, newcomers Park Sye-young, Surapong Ploensang, and Kim Jin-young started their careers strong with impressive features of their own, showing signs of where they can go in the...
- 12/30/2022
- by AMP Group
- AsianMoviePulse
2022 was an incredible year for horror films from across the world that deserve just as much attention as any domestic genre hit.
2022 has proven itself to be a banner year for horror and genre fans have never had more exciting and terrifying options at their disposal. Whether in the security of one’s own home or a dark movie theater, horror has been a comforting constant for audiences this year.
2022 hasn’t struggled when it comes to original horror blockbusters, with Nope, Barbarian, The Black Phone, Smile, Bodies Bodies Bodies, and Ti West’s X and Pearl being some of the year’s biggest releases. However, 2022 has had just as much to offer for sequel and franchise fans between Hellraiser, Prey, Scream, Terrifier 2, and Halloween Ends.
It’s easy for horror fans to get tunnel vision when it comes to mainstream movies, but some of the year’s scariest...
2022 has proven itself to be a banner year for horror and genre fans have never had more exciting and terrifying options at their disposal. Whether in the security of one’s own home or a dark movie theater, horror has been a comforting constant for audiences this year.
2022 hasn’t struggled when it comes to original horror blockbusters, with Nope, Barbarian, The Black Phone, Smile, Bodies Bodies Bodies, and Ti West’s X and Pearl being some of the year’s biggest releases. However, 2022 has had just as much to offer for sequel and franchise fans between Hellraiser, Prey, Scream, Terrifier 2, and Halloween Ends.
It’s easy for horror fans to get tunnel vision when it comes to mainstream movies, but some of the year’s scariest...
- 12/28/2022
- by Daniel Kurland
- bloody-disgusting.com
Indonesian adaptations of hit series “Call My Agent” and “Doctor Foster” are among six series that are part of the Disney+ Hotstar push into the territory.
“Hubungi Agen Gue!” (“The Talent Agency”), the adaptation of “Call My Agent,” was the new title revealed on Wednesday at the Disney Content Showcase held at Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands convention center. Industry veteran Mira Lesmana serves as showrunner for the series that follows four agents in an Indonesian talent agency as they struggle to save their business following the death of the company’s founder.
Stars include Donny Damara, Hannah Al Rashid, Yoga Pratama and Lydia Kandou and each episode will feature A-listers guest-starring as themselves in keeping with the global format. The series is produced by Lesmana, Riri Riza and Sk Global Entertainment and directed by Teddy Soeriaatmadja. It has wrapped principal photography, Lesmana said.
Also revealed was a second season for “Wedding Agreement.
“Hubungi Agen Gue!” (“The Talent Agency”), the adaptation of “Call My Agent,” was the new title revealed on Wednesday at the Disney Content Showcase held at Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands convention center. Industry veteran Mira Lesmana serves as showrunner for the series that follows four agents in an Indonesian talent agency as they struggle to save their business following the death of the company’s founder.
Stars include Donny Damara, Hannah Al Rashid, Yoga Pratama and Lydia Kandou and each episode will feature A-listers guest-starring as themselves in keeping with the global format. The series is produced by Lesmana, Riri Riza and Sk Global Entertainment and directed by Teddy Soeriaatmadja. It has wrapped principal photography, Lesmana said.
Also revealed was a second season for “Wedding Agreement.
- 11/30/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Indonesian genre kingpin Joko Anwar continues his run of hits with “Satan’s Slaves 2: Communion,” a juicy if slightly overstuffed sequel to his 2017 supernatural horror hit “Satan’s Slaves.” Set in a brutalist concrete apartment block that looks like hell on Earth even before ghouls and zombies start terrorizing the first film’s surviving family members, “Communion” serves up suspense, scares and gallows humor with considerable style. This handsomely mounted widescreen chiller is sure to lure plenty of eyeballs to streaming platform Shudder when unleashed in territories including North America and the U.K. on November 4.
Having enjoyed commercial and critical success for most of the nine features he’s directed since debuting with the delightful romantic comedy “Joni’s Promise” in 2005, Anwar’s stock has never been higher. “Communion” attracted 6.3 million local theatrical admissions in August, making it the third-highest-grossing Indonesian film of all time. “Satan’s Slaves...
Having enjoyed commercial and critical success for most of the nine features he’s directed since debuting with the delightful romantic comedy “Joni’s Promise” in 2005, Anwar’s stock has never been higher. “Communion” attracted 6.3 million local theatrical admissions in August, making it the third-highest-grossing Indonesian film of all time. “Satan’s Slaves...
- 11/3/2022
- by Richard Kuipers
- Variety Film + TV
Indonesian horror master Joko Anwar’s Satan’s Slaves, a loose remake of the 1980 horror movie, became the highest-grossing domestic Indonesian film of 2017 and continued to terrify audiences across the globe. Between its success, reputation for scares, and an ending that set up a larger mythos, it’s no surprise that Anwar would follow up with a sequel a few years later. Satan’s Slaves: Communion relocates its setting to a high-rise apartment complex and plunges its residents into more expansive horror and storytelling.
Three years after the unsettling events of the first film, the surviving Suwono family members now live in a rundown Jakarta apartment building. Rini (Tara Basro) works at a factory and grapples with whether to go off to college to improve their financial situation or stay and remain a surrogate mom to brothers Toni (Endy Arfian), and Bondi (Nasar Anuz) as dad Bahri (Bront Palarae) sneaks off all the time.
Three years after the unsettling events of the first film, the surviving Suwono family members now live in a rundown Jakarta apartment building. Rini (Tara Basro) works at a factory and grapples with whether to go off to college to improve their financial situation or stay and remain a surrogate mom to brothers Toni (Endy Arfian), and Bondi (Nasar Anuz) as dad Bahri (Bront Palarae) sneaks off all the time.
- 11/3/2022
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
The end of the Halloween Season is always a bit of a sad time for horror fans, but as we always like to remind you each and every year, it’s Halloween Every Day here on Bloody Disgusting.
And wouldn’t you know it, even though Halloween has come and gone there are still several new horror releases headed our way here in the first week of November. Seven of them!
Here’s all the new horror releasing November 1 – November 6, 2022!
First up, Bloody Disgusting has unleashed the brand new Screambox Original horror movie Deep Fear today, which will take you deep into the catacombs exclusively on Screambox.
A post-graduation celebration turns into a fight for survival in the catacombs of Paris in Deep Fear, a Belgian/French survival horror movie that’s also available on VOD outlets now.
“Three students celebrate their graduation by visiting the Paris catacombs. When they...
And wouldn’t you know it, even though Halloween has come and gone there are still several new horror releases headed our way here in the first week of November. Seven of them!
Here’s all the new horror releasing November 1 – November 6, 2022!
First up, Bloody Disgusting has unleashed the brand new Screambox Original horror movie Deep Fear today, which will take you deep into the catacombs exclusively on Screambox.
A post-graduation celebration turns into a fight for survival in the catacombs of Paris in Deep Fear, a Belgian/French survival horror movie that’s also available on VOD outlets now.
“Three students celebrate their graduation by visiting the Paris catacombs. When they...
- 11/1/2022
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Stars: Egy Fedly, Tara Basro, Endy Arfian, Nasar Anuz, Bront Palarae, Ratu Felisha, Muzakki Ramdhan | Written and Directed by Joko Anwar
Satan’s Slaves: Communion, or Pengabdi Setan 2: Communion if you prefer, is the newest film from Indonesian writer/director Joko Anwar, It’s no secret I’m a fan of his work and with it being three years since his last film, Impetigore, I was quite ready to see his sequel to the film that brought him international attention, Satan’s Slaves.
The film opens in 1955 with Budiman, the journalist from the first film, being brought to a local observatory where several corpses are arranged as if they were at prayer. There are lots of footprints leading from the cemetery to the building, and the corpses all have muddy feet. The government wants to cover it up but one local official asks him to get the word out.
Satan’s Slaves: Communion, or Pengabdi Setan 2: Communion if you prefer, is the newest film from Indonesian writer/director Joko Anwar, It’s no secret I’m a fan of his work and with it being three years since his last film, Impetigore, I was quite ready to see his sequel to the film that brought him international attention, Satan’s Slaves.
The film opens in 1955 with Budiman, the journalist from the first film, being brought to a local observatory where several corpses are arranged as if they were at prayer. There are lots of footprints leading from the cemetery to the building, and the corpses all have muddy feet. The government wants to cover it up but one local official asks him to get the word out.
- 11/1/2022
- by Jim Morazzini
- Nerdly
Halloween may be in the rearview, but the holiday spirit remains alive and well, judging by the continued onslaught of horror releases. It’s another horror feast this month!
November brings a plethora of new releases, gory cult gems, family-friendly offerings, and brand-new titles on streaming.
Here are ten noteworthy horror titles available for streaming in November 2022 on some of the most popular streaming services, along with when/where you can watch them.
Deep Fear – Screambox (November 1)
The claustrophobic element of subterranean horror always compounds the frantic terror, so expect things to get intense. A post-graduation celebration turns into a fight for survival in the catacombs of Paris in Deep Fear. Three students celebrate their graduation by visiting the Paris catacombs. When they discover a bunker formerly occupied by the Nazis, little do they know it’s not the only thing left behind. Something, someone, is now hunting them. Grégory Beghin...
November brings a plethora of new releases, gory cult gems, family-friendly offerings, and brand-new titles on streaming.
Here are ten noteworthy horror titles available for streaming in November 2022 on some of the most popular streaming services, along with when/where you can watch them.
Deep Fear – Screambox (November 1)
The claustrophobic element of subterranean horror always compounds the frantic terror, so expect things to get intense. A post-graduation celebration turns into a fight for survival in the catacombs of Paris in Deep Fear. Three students celebrate their graduation by visiting the Paris catacombs. When they discover a bunker formerly occupied by the Nazis, little do they know it’s not the only thing left behind. Something, someone, is now hunting them. Grégory Beghin...
- 11/1/2022
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
Long heralded as among the best Indonesian genre efforts from the heyday of the country’s exploitation offerings, Sisworo Gautama Putra’s celebrated “Satan’s Slave” is among the most recognizable and popular films during this time. With a remake helmed by celebrated modern auteur Joko Anwar with a sequel to that emerging in the coming days, the power and influence of the original still holds sway and influence to this day, which signals the commercial impact found within.
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
After the death of his wife, businessman Munarto (W.D. Mochtar), and his two kids Rita (Siska Widowati) and Tomi (Fachrul Rozy), try to observe the proper rituals and burial rites that will allow them to move on. On the first night after their mother’s death, Tomi sees his dead mother but does not talk to her. The next day,...
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
After the death of his wife, businessman Munarto (W.D. Mochtar), and his two kids Rita (Siska Widowati) and Tomi (Fachrul Rozy), try to observe the proper rituals and burial rites that will allow them to move on. On the first night after their mother’s death, Tomi sees his dead mother but does not talk to her. The next day,...
- 10/31/2022
- by Don Anelli
- AsianMoviePulse
Joko Anwar blessed horror fans with "Satan's Slaves" in 2018, and now he's back with a compelling sequel that takes haunted house rules and applies them to a busier apartment complex. "Satan's Slaves: Communion" follows "Satan's Slaves" in continuity, hoping to answer questions about cultists with umbrellas, antichrist offspring, and how families move on after satanic rituals. Anwar builds the mythology behind "Satan's Slaves" into something more twisted, which opens as many doors as it closes — not the cleanest evolution in storytelling, but the scares are still tremendous. Whatever's lost in the latter half's exposition dumps is salvaged by Anwar's masterful horror filmmaking sensibilities because while "Satan's Slaves" does reign supreme, that's a loaded comparison to one of the top-ranking horror films of its decade, and since.
It's been several years since Rini (Tara Basro) and her family lost their mother and mute younger sibling Ian (M. Adhiyat). Father Bahri (Bront Palarae...
It's been several years since Rini (Tara Basro) and her family lost their mother and mute younger sibling Ian (M. Adhiyat). Father Bahri (Bront Palarae...
- 10/18/2022
- by Matt Donato
- Slash Film
Sequel to the great Satan’s Slaves, “Communion” is the first Indonesian film to be released in IMAX format, and a huge box office success which has already become the third highest-grossing Indonesian film of all time, with 6.3 million viewers.
Satan’s Slaves 2: Communion is available from Shudder
The film begins in the 50’s actually, when a photographer is “invited” by a friend into a truly hellish setting, where a number of bodies have been exhumed and used for some sort of satanic ritual, with the friend asking the photographer to do everything in his power to let people know about what is happening. Back in the 80s, several years after they managed to save themselves from the terrible events that resulted in the death of their mother and the youngest sibling, Ian, the family are now living in a block of flats. Rini, Toni and Bondi all...
Satan’s Slaves 2: Communion is available from Shudder
The film begins in the 50’s actually, when a photographer is “invited” by a friend into a truly hellish setting, where a number of bodies have been exhumed and used for some sort of satanic ritual, with the friend asking the photographer to do everything in his power to let people know about what is happening. Back in the 80s, several years after they managed to save themselves from the terrible events that resulted in the death of their mother and the youngest sibling, Ian, the family are now living in a block of flats. Rini, Toni and Bondi all...
- 10/16/2022
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Exclusive: Since the service was made available across the Asia Pacific region in 2016, Amazon Prime Video has focused on producing content in the markets where Amazon has a strong retail membership service – India, Japan and Australia. Based in Los Angeles, Erika North, Amazon Studios’ Head of Originals, Asia Pacific, has been tasked with expanding that local content footprint into other Apac territories.
North joined Amazon in February 2020 after similar stints heading production in the region for HBO Asia and Netflix. Although she helped build out local content in Australia and New Zealand, those territories are now handled by a separate team, while she focuses on Southeast Asia and Korea. She has also taken on Japan, previously headed by James Farrell, who was promoted to head of international originals in 2018 and moved to North America. (India is also handled by a separate team in line with Amazon’s structuring of global business divisions.
North joined Amazon in February 2020 after similar stints heading production in the region for HBO Asia and Netflix. Although she helped build out local content in Australia and New Zealand, those territories are now handled by a separate team, while she focuses on Southeast Asia and Korea. She has also taken on Japan, previously headed by James Farrell, who was promoted to head of international originals in 2018 and moved to North America. (India is also handled by a separate team in line with Amazon’s structuring of global business divisions.
- 10/13/2022
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
The Indonesian Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) has expressed its support for the strong contingent of filmmakers from the country at the Busan International Film Festival. There are 20 participants from Indonesia across the festival’s various strands.
Indonesian content in the festival program includes: Makbul Mubarak’s Venice winner and Toronto selection “Autobiography” and Kamila Andini’s “Before, Now & Then” (“Nana”) in A Window on Asian Cinema section; Joko Anwar’s “Satan’s Slave 2: Communion” at Midnight Passion; series “Blood Curse” in the On Screen program; and two Indonesian co-productions – the omnibus “Look at Me, Touch Me, Kiss Me” and “Stone Turtle” are also included at A Window on Asian Cinema. In the Asian Project Market, “Gaspar,” directed by Yosep Anggi Noen and produced by Yulia Evina Bhara and Christian Immanuel, features, and 10 young Indonesian filmmakers are participating at Platform Busan.
Indonesia’s general director of cultural affairs,...
Indonesian content in the festival program includes: Makbul Mubarak’s Venice winner and Toronto selection “Autobiography” and Kamila Andini’s “Before, Now & Then” (“Nana”) in A Window on Asian Cinema section; Joko Anwar’s “Satan’s Slave 2: Communion” at Midnight Passion; series “Blood Curse” in the On Screen program; and two Indonesian co-productions – the omnibus “Look at Me, Touch Me, Kiss Me” and “Stone Turtle” are also included at A Window on Asian Cinema. In the Asian Project Market, “Gaspar,” directed by Yosep Anggi Noen and produced by Yulia Evina Bhara and Christian Immanuel, features, and 10 young Indonesian filmmakers are participating at Platform Busan.
Indonesia’s general director of cultural affairs,...
- 10/9/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap will be serving as directing mentor along with fellow filmmakers Anthony Chen, Ifa Isfansyah, Joko Anwar and Ho Yuhang, for the ongoing Malaysian Development Lab for Fiction Feature Films (mylab) initiative at the Busan International Film Festival.
The directing mentors will work with the filmmakers of mylab and participate in conversations and exchanges on cinema and filmmaking, reports Variety.
An incubator programme for scriptwriters, directors, producers to work on developing scripts and film projects under lectures and the guidance of regional and international experts in scriptwriting, directing, producing, distribution, and markets and festivals, mylab focuses on projects at an early stage of development, with a team of scriptwriter, director and/or producer attached, targeted at regional or international audiences.
According to Variety, the programme is supported by the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas). Other partners include Singapore Film Commission, Film Development Council of the Philippines (Fdcp...
The directing mentors will work with the filmmakers of mylab and participate in conversations and exchanges on cinema and filmmaking, reports Variety.
An incubator programme for scriptwriters, directors, producers to work on developing scripts and film projects under lectures and the guidance of regional and international experts in scriptwriting, directing, producing, distribution, and markets and festivals, mylab focuses on projects at an early stage of development, with a team of scriptwriter, director and/or producer attached, targeted at regional or international audiences.
According to Variety, the programme is supported by the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas). Other partners include Singapore Film Commission, Film Development Council of the Philippines (Fdcp...
- 10/6/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
Celebrated filmmakers Anthony Chen (“Wet Season”), Anurag Kashyap (“Dobaaraa”), Ifa Isfansyah (“Losmen Bu Broto”), Joko Anwar (“Impetigore”) and Ho Yuhang (“The Ghost Bride”) are serving as directing mentors for the ongoing Malaysian Development Lab for Fiction Feature Films (mylab) initiative at the Busan International Film Festival.
The directing mentors will work with the filmmakers of mylab and participate in depth conversations and exchanges on cinema and filmmaking.
An incubator program for scriptwriters, directors, producers to work on developing scripts and film projects under lectures and the guidance of regional and international experts in scriptwriting, directing, producing, distribution, and markets and festivals, mylab focuses on projects at an early stage of development, with a team of scriptwriter, director and/or producer attached, targeted at regional or international audiences.
The program is supported by the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas). Other partners include Singapore Film Commission, Film Development Council of the Philippines...
The directing mentors will work with the filmmakers of mylab and participate in depth conversations and exchanges on cinema and filmmaking.
An incubator program for scriptwriters, directors, producers to work on developing scripts and film projects under lectures and the guidance of regional and international experts in scriptwriting, directing, producing, distribution, and markets and festivals, mylab focuses on projects at an early stage of development, with a team of scriptwriter, director and/or producer attached, targeted at regional or international audiences.
The program is supported by the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas). Other partners include Singapore Film Commission, Film Development Council of the Philippines...
- 10/6/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Joe Begos’ holiday horror film Christmas Bloody Christmas has wrapped up a deal with AMC Networks siblings Rjle Films and Shudder that will see the slasher pic released day-and-date in theaters and on the genre streaming site December 9.
The deal comes as the pic readies for its world premiere Wednesday at Beyond Fest in Hollywood.
Related Story Beyond Fest Unveils 2022 Lineup; Includes World Premieres Of 'Halloween Ends', 'My Best Friend's Exorcism' & More Related Story Shudder Acquires Joko Anwar's Horror Sequel 'Satan's Slaves: Communion' Related Story Horror Film 'Spoonful Of Sugar' Acquired By AMC Networks' Shudder Streaming Service
Begos’ latest is set on Christmas Eve and centers on Tori Tooms (Riley Dandy), a fiery record store owner who just wants to get drunk and party for the holiday — until a robotic Santa Claus at a nearby toy store goes haywire and begins a rampant killing spree that...
The deal comes as the pic readies for its world premiere Wednesday at Beyond Fest in Hollywood.
Related Story Beyond Fest Unveils 2022 Lineup; Includes World Premieres Of 'Halloween Ends', 'My Best Friend's Exorcism' & More Related Story Shudder Acquires Joko Anwar's Horror Sequel 'Satan's Slaves: Communion' Related Story Horror Film 'Spoonful Of Sugar' Acquired By AMC Networks' Shudder Streaming Service
Begos’ latest is set on Christmas Eve and centers on Tori Tooms (Riley Dandy), a fiery record store owner who just wants to get drunk and party for the holiday — until a robotic Santa Claus at a nearby toy store goes haywire and begins a rampant killing spree that...
- 10/4/2022
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Creating locally authentic content has been key to Netflix’s success in producing shows in Asia that have resonated globally, according to Minyoung Kim, Netflix Vice President of Content, Apac ex India, speaking at Apos, which is taking place virtually and in-person in Singapore this week (September 27-29).
Kim said she always believed that Asia would eventually produce a show that worked globally, but that “honestly” she had no idea it would be Squid Game or that it would happen so fast. “We truly believe that in making Korean content we need to prioritize our local audiences in Korea,” said Kim, speaking to Media Partners Asia executive director Vivek Couto on-stage at the event.
She added that audiences in Korea, Japan and India have all shown a preference for high-quality local content, so the streamer’s priority has been to create shows that work within the local market, rather than consciously striving for global success.
Kim said she always believed that Asia would eventually produce a show that worked globally, but that “honestly” she had no idea it would be Squid Game or that it would happen so fast. “We truly believe that in making Korean content we need to prioritize our local audiences in Korea,” said Kim, speaking to Media Partners Asia executive director Vivek Couto on-stage at the event.
She added that audiences in Korea, Japan and India have all shown a preference for high-quality local content, so the streamer’s priority has been to create shows that work within the local market, rather than consciously striving for global success.
- 9/28/2022
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
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