Indonesian Drama ‘Cubs’ Explores Coming-of-Age Tale Against Mining Town Backdrop – TCCF

As a seasoned movie buff with a penchant for films that delve deep into societal issues and human struggles, I find myself intrigued by the upcoming project “Cubs.” Indonesian filmmakers Riri Riza, Mira Lesmana, and Ifa Isfansyah have crafted an enticing blend of crime-action elements with coming-of-age drama that promises a gripping narrative set against the backdrop of a gold mining town.


Filmmakers Riri Riza, Mira Lesmana, and Ifa Isfansyah are working on a project titled “Cubs,” an emotionally resonant drama set in a gold mining community. This story will be showcased at the Taiwan Creative Content Fest (TCCF).

The movie traces the journey of Gul, a teenage character, as he navigates love and maturity amidst a community grappling with strife over territory and resources. The original concept for ‘Cubs’ was penned down by Riza, the writer-director, in 2007. Nearly twenty years later, as economies expanded, disputes concerning land and ecology resurfaced across different areas, frequently escalating to military intervention, according to Riza.

The goal of this project is to combine crime-action genres with a coming-of-age storyline. In other words, ‘Cubs’ traces the transformation of Gul from a young, inexperienced character to a more mature one, mirroring a cub’s growth into a tiger. The narrative of the film is structured around a traditional conflict, reminiscent of David vs. Goliath, where our protagonist grapples with an adversary. The storyline involves intense, inevitable confrontations that stem from the inherent violence in the characters. To create a sense of authenticity, Riza intends to use both amateur and experienced actors. Filming is set to take place in a real gold mining town in Java.

Mira Lesmana, an executive producer, collaborated with Riza at Miles Films in crafting the story. They then recruited producer Ifa Isfansyah and Forka Films to lend a more gritty and modern touch to the project while maintaining its accessibility for viewers.

As a movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that the film I’m working on is currently being financed and developed, with an anticipated start of production in early 2026. The release date is tentatively set for either Q1 or Q2 of 2027. At TCCF, we’re actively seeking investment, co-production partnerships, sales agreements, and post-production assistance to bring this project to life.

The team responsible for the project boasts a wealth of expertise, having made significant contributions to various aspects of filmmaking. Lesmana played a pivotal role in resurrecting Indonesian cinema through the 2000’s film “Sherina’s Adventure.” Isfansyah, creator of Forka Films and the Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival, recently garnered acclaim with the Netflix series “Cigarette Girl.” Riza’s movies have been showcased at prestigious film festivals such as Berlinale, Tokyo, Busan, and Rotterdam. His latest work, “Sherina’s Adventure 2,” has also proven to be a box office success in Indonesia.

Forka Films has previously produced films that have been selected for festivals such as “The Seen and Unseen” at Toronto in 2017, “Memories Of My Body” at the Venice Orizzonti in 2018, and “Yuni”, which won the Toronto Platform Prize.

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2024-11-06 02:16