Horror in Focus as Korean, Indonesian Producer Guilds Strengthen Ties at JAFF Market (EXCLUSIVE)

As a seasoned connoisseur of global cinema who has traversed the seven seas and countless film festivals to quench my insatiable thirst for quality storytelling, I find this collaboration between the Producers Guild of Korea (PGK) and the Association of Indonesian Film Producers (APROFI) a truly exhilarating development. The renewed Memorandum of Understanding at the JAFF Market in Yogyakarta, with its focus on horror projects, promises to unleash a torrent of chilling tales that will send shivers down the spines of viewers worldwide.

The Korean Producers Guild (PGK) and the Indonesian Film Producers Association (APROFI) are strengthening their partnership after signing a new agreement, during the initial JAFF Market in Yogyakarta. This event predominantly showcases horror projects as potential joint ventures.

The collaboration, initiated back in 2013, coincides with a period of substantial expansion in Indonesia’s film industry. As Edwin Nazir, chair of APROFI, points out, “This year alone, the Indonesian film market has surpassed 74 million admissions, with three weeks left in the year.” In spite of having a population of 280 million, there remains an enormous potential for further growth.

As a cinephile, I can’t help but feel exhilarated when I hear about the strategic decision made by PGK president Lee Dong-ha, the mastermind behind “Train to Busan.” The timing for this move seems perfect. The Indonesian film industry is currently one of the most vibrant globally, and South Korea, having matured significantly, particularly in awareness, presents a natural partner. It’s only logical that the MoU between our organizations was renewed post-pandemic, given these dynamic changes.

Among the eight Korean projects seeking Indonesian partners at JAFF Market are:

Moon Sung Joo’s romantic comedy “The Romantic Lucky” (Blue Jeans Pictures) about a man trapped in a time loop after winning the lottery; Yom Dongbok’s adventure-horror “8ight” (Twinkle Star Entertainment) following BMX riders encountering supernatural forces in Java; Lee Eun Kyoung’s occult horror “The Shrine 3” (Mystery Pictures) featuring a Korean shaman battling Indonesian spirits; Kim Hyun Chul’s action-comedy “Husbands” (TPS Company) about two husbands teaming up to rescue their kidnapped family; Yohwan Kim’s black comedy “Nailed” (88 Avenue) about a desperate couple running a roadside car repair shop; and Lim Youngju’s horror-drama “Butterfly of the Equator” (Studio Artemis Korea) about mysterious deaths near a haunted cave. Studio Artemis Korea is also presenting “Last Wish,” a family drama about a workaholic father attempting to fulfil his family’s wishes after receiving a terminal diagnosis.

The initiatives are seeking partnerships with Indonesian artists and innovative groups, with a focus on horror as a primary genre for potential collaborations. As Nazir points out, around 70% of the proposed projects revolve around horror themes, suggesting that horror may currently be more accessible for collaboration between Indonesia and South Korea.

Nazir advocates for exploring new avenues in collaboration, stating, “In our previous partnerships, it was either Korean companies funding Indonesian productions for the local market, or adaptations of Korean shows. We aim to widen this approach – perhaps having Indonesian series remade by Korean studios, or jointly developing projects that incorporate both Korean and Indonesian features.

According to Lee, instead of merely covering each other’s missing pieces, it’s our aim to reinitiate multiple collaborations with international nations. At PGK, we found APROFI as the initial step towards this goal. We hope that the expansion of the film industry between these countries will mark the beginning of joint productions, paving the way for a promising future in an evolving content landscape.

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2024-12-04 04:17