The second season of HBO Asia's action fantasy series Halfworlds is slated to premiere on Jan. 22.
he second season of HBO Asia's action fantasy series Halfworlds is slated to premiere on Jan. 22. Helmed by Thai director Ekachai Uekrongtham (Beautiful Boxer, Skin Trade), it is set to return with Tony (Reza Rahadian) and Barata’s (Arifin Putra) adventures in Bangkok.
If the first season, which was directed by Indonesian filmmaker Joko Anwar, focused on the underground society of demons living among people in present-day Jakarta, the upcoming one will introduce the audiences to several Asian cultures and boasts changes in director, cast, as well as setting.
"Eighty percent of the cast and crew came from Thailand, the Philippines and Taiwan," said Reza during a media interview in Jakarta on Wednesday.
(Read also: 'Halfworlds' to return for season 2 with new director)
"[Regarding other changes in the upcoming season], the color palate has also been changed; it is brighter and clearer. Ekachai's style is more commercial," said Reza, adding that the audience could also expect less violence but more interesting fight scenes, as they combine aikido (modern Japanese martial arts), muay Thai (Thai martial arts) and pencak silat (Indonesian traditional martial arts).
Meanwhile, Arifin shared that the film was a collaborative work, which made the production process more fun. "We got to see all the cultural differences become one in the series and had the opportunity to introduce Indonesian culture to the other cast and crew members."
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In terms of the new director and setting, Reza said that HBO Asia saw the potential for intercultural collaboration in the series. "It's possible that [next season] they are going to change the setting and cast [again]."
Reza and Arifin are the only characters returning from the first season and Arifin said that he was not really sure why they were chosen to be involved in the new season. "However, since Tony and Barata are the central characters, they have become the elements that connect the two seasons." (kes)
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