Indonesia’s Angga Dwimas Sasongko Unveils Action Epic ‘Queen of Malacca’ at Cannes Market (EXCLUSIVE)

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Indonesian filmmaker Angga Dwimas Sasongko is coming back as a director for “Queen of Malacca,” an intriguing blend of crime-action-thriller, infused with Southeast Asian mysticism and raw underworld brutality. This project was first revealed at the Cannes market.

Sasongko serves as the head of Indonesian studio Visinema. For the past two years, he has been dedicated to guiding the corporate transformation of Visinema and overseeing “Jumbo,” Indonesia’s highest-grossing animated film so far. Now, Sasongko is eager to take charge of what he terms his most daring action project yet.

Sasongko expressed his eagerness to take on a new film project, stating, “It’s finally time for me to create a movie that resonates with my innate storytelling instincts.” He continued, “With Visinema’s evolution complete and ‘Jumbo’ surpassing its goals, I am ready to step back into the director’s role once more, this time with something even more daring: an action-packed film that tugs at our heartstrings, stirs our senses, and draws on the raw, authentic tales of our community.

The movie intends to merge ancient Southeast Asian folklore with modern tales of crime, creating an original cinematic experience rooted in Southeast Asian culture. As Sasongko explained, “I want to construct a universe that feels familiar to Southeast Asian audiences, yet unexplored on the big screen.” He further discussed the challenge of intertwining the sinister aspects of organized crime and the underworld within the Malacca Strait region, which is not only significant geopolitically but also plays a pivotal role in illicit activities beneath the surface.

The Malacca Strait, a vital sea route connecting the Malay Peninsula to Sumatra, takes center stage in this movie. It’s not just about location; it also forms the thematic heart of the film, delving into its involvement in illegal activities such as human trafficking, drug dealing, and arms smuggling.

Sasongko intends to modernize ancient Malaysian warrior folklore for today’s viewers. He draws inspiration from the renowned warriors of the Sultan of Malacca, whose tales are widely recognized across Indonesia and Malaysia. The movie will also blend aspects of Southeast Asian political dynamics, such as the application of shamanic rituals and superstitions among high-ranking officials.

Individuals in positions of power often incorporate beliefs and practices that might be considered superstitious into their strategies. This can involve consultations with spiritual leaders or seeking predictions, as observed in political arenas such as Indonesia.”

Or, more casually:

“People in power sometimes resort to using superstitions in their game of power-playing. For instance, they might consult shamans and look for prophecies, which can be seen in the political scene of countries like Indonesia.

In the director’s chair for “Stealing Raden Saleh,” Indonesia’s most successful action movie with approximately 2.3 million viewers, Sasongko boasts a wealth of experience in the action genre. His upcoming film, “Queen of Malacca,” will be his fifth action production, coming after “212 Warrior,” “Ben & Jody,” “Stealing Raden Saleh” and “13 Bombs.”

For the movie “Stealing Raden Saleh,” Indonesia’s top-earning action film with more than 2.3 million spectators, Sasongko has a lot of experience in action movies. The upcoming film “Queen of Malacca” will be his fifth action movie, following “212 Warrior,” “Ben & Jody,” “Stealing Raden Saleh” and “13 Bombs.”

At this moment, the movie is undergoing extensive preparation stages, including scriptwriting and planning of production. Visinema is negotiating with possible collaborators from South Korea and the U.S., aiming to establish international partnerships for both filming and worldwide distribution. The main shooting is planned to commence in 2026.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I’ve had the privilege to nurture Visinema into one of Indonesia’s leading studios for innovative intellectual properties (IP). We’ve broadened our horizons beyond conventional filmmaking, venturing into realms such as animation, music, digital series, and other engaging storytelling formats that immerse viewers in captivating tales.

Visinema’s upcoming projects involve teaming up with the powerful South Korean studio, CJ Entertainment, for the remake of the popular Korean series “Pawn,” titled “Call Me Dad.” Additionally, they are working on a sci-fi animated production named “Kancil.

The triumph of “Jumbo” has given Sasongko and Visinema the confidence to explore more daring creative ventures. As Sasongko put it, “‘Jumbo’ serves as a compelling argument worth defending.” They view it not just as an animation, but also as a stepping stone towards pioneering fresh narrative approaches, pushing boundaries of genre, and exploring innovative storytelling mediums.

In the Indonesian market, Sasongko emphasized the significance of varying content: “The popularity of ‘Jumbo’ boosts our determination to offer novelty and progressive material to our viewers, particularly those in Indonesia who are experiencing a rapid growth spurt at present.” Concerning the prevalence of horror films in the local industry, he voiced his worry, stating, “By solely relying on one or two genres, we limit the audience’s options. We hinder their opportunity to expand within our productions.

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2025-05-17 06:46