Joko Anwar’s remake of horror classic Pengabdi Setan (Satan’s Slaves) and Emil Heradi’s dark thriller Night Bus dominated the competition at the 2017 Indonesian Film Festival Awards in Manado, North Sulawesi, winning the most awards of the night.
oko Anwar’s remake of horror classic Pengabdi Setan (Satan’s Slaves) and Emil Heradi’s dark thriller Night Bus dominated the competition at the 2017 Indonesian Film Festival Awards in Manado, North Sulawesi, winning the most awards of the night.
In terms of quantity, Pengabdi Setan dominated the competition by winning seven awards, including all the soundtrack-related categories such as Best Sound Designer, Best Musical Arrangement and Best Original Song.
Currently the fourth highest-grossing Indonesian film of all time, Pengabdi Setan’s triumphs are significant given that it is the first horror film to ever be nominated for the Best Film award.
Sleeper hit Night Bus won the second most awards of the night with six. Night Bus was the festival’s Best Film this year, while lead actor Teuku Rifnu Wikana was named Best Actor. The film also won the award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Despite being hit with distribution problems that resulted in lower viewer numbers, the filmmakers felt that their film was the end result of an appreciative industry and crowd.
“It was an incredible night for us. We didn’t expect that Night Bus would win Best Film. I’m still in shock. But being nominated for 11 categories in itself, it is a magical feeling of appreciation,” the film’s producer Darius Sinathrya said following the win.
Read also: Joko Anwar spills the beans on ‘Pengabdi Setan’
Major but initially controversial favorite Posesif also won in significant categories. Posesif lead actress Putri Marino won Best Actress for her debut acting role, in an upset over favorite Dian Sastrowardoyo for Kartini, and Yayu Unru won the Best Supporting Actor. Critical indie darling Edwin was named Best Director.
“Thank you everyone, my family, my fellow actors, [director] Edwin and everyone who worked on Posesif for believing in me. This award gives me the motivation to improve myself!” Putri said as she accepted her award looking baffled by her win.
Other major favorites such as Cek Toko Sebelah and Kartini won single awards each, with Ernest Prakasa winning Best Original Screenplay for Cek Toko Sebelah, and Christine Hakim winning Best Supporting Actress for Kartini.
Outside of the main categories, the Best Long-Form Documentary was won by Tony Trimarsanto’s Bulu Mata (Eyelashes), a film that depicts the welfare and livelihoods of several transgendered people in what is considered the most religious province in Indonesia, West Java.
In terms of Special Awards, this year’s Lifetime Achievement award was won by long-time producer Budiyati Abiyoga, who has helped produce classic films such as Naga Bonar (1986), Cinta Dalam Sepotong Roti [Love Inside a Piece of Bread] (1990) as well as recent films as 2014’s Malam Minggu Miko Movie [Miko’s Saturday Night Movie] and 2017 children’s film Iqro: Petualangan Meraih Bintang (Iqro: The Quest to Reach the Stars).
Below is the full list of winners and the nominees for all award categories at the IFF awards.
Read also: The many shades of gray in 'Posesif'
Best Film
Best Director
Best Lead Actor
Best Lead Actress
Best Supporting Male Lead
Best Supporting Female Lead
Best Child Actor
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Original Screenplay
Best Cinematographer
Best Artistic Direction
Best Editor
Best Sound Designer
Best Musical Arrangement
Best Original Song
Best Visual Effect Artist
Best Costume Designer
Best Makeup Artist
Best Short Film
Best Short-Form Documentary
Best Long-Form Documentary
Best Short-Form Animation
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