Set for its premiere on April 28, the sequel to one of the nation'€™s most beloved films of recent years, '€œAda Apa Dengan Cinta?'€, will follow the original characters' journey 14 years later in new locations including Yogyakarta and New York.

Producer Mira Lesmana said 14 film crews had been brought from Indonesia to shoot '€œAda Apa Dengan Cinta 2 (AADC2)'€ in the United States, in addition to the hiring of 20 local crews.

'€œThere was a time when we had to shoot outdoors the whole day in minus 7degrees Celsius. But we were lucky that it was snowing so we didn't have to create artificial snow,'€ Mira told a press conference in Jakarta on Monday.

The teen romance, released to wild box-office success and critical acclaim in 2002, launched the careers of Nicholas Saputra, Dian Sastrowardoyo, Ladya Cheryl, Adinia Wirasti, Titi Kamal and Sissy Prescillia. It tells the story of Cinta, a popular girl in high school who falls in love with Rangga, a cool and introverted boy who loves reading books and poetry.

In addition to Mira and the director, Riri Riza, the entire original cast will reappear in the sequel alongside new members such as Ario Bayu, Christian Sugiono, Sarita Thaib and Dimi Cindyastira.

The story of AADC2 is said to center on the relationship between Rangga and Cinta after 14 years have lapsed.

In a teaser, Indonesian writer Leila S. Chudori refers to AADC as an Indonesian pop cult, noting that many of its fans have been speculating on where the characters would be now.

Riri said the sequel was inspired by such curiosity to see how movie characters can evolve and grow overtime, just as humans do.

'€œIt's going to be romantic, it's going to be sentimental. We love to share the joy, to see what the characters look like and what has happened to them after 14 years,'€ said Riri.

Musician couple Melly Goeslaw and Anto Hoed will also come back to produce the soundtrack.

Melly said a total of eight songs, including two remakes from the original AADC soundtrack, would be featured on the album. The first single, a remake of '€œBimbang'€ (Doubt), will be covered by talented young singers Goodbye Felicia and Stephanie Poetri. Meanwhile, another single titled '€œRatusan Purnama'€ (Hundreds of Full Moons) will be sung by Melly herself, featuring Marthino Lio.

Makassar-based poet Aan Mansyur, who helped to create poems and poetic lines for AADC2, will reportedly publish a collection of poetry and a photo book titled '€œTidak Ada New York Hari Ini''€ (There Is No New York Today).

Fans can also expect to get their hands on other movie merchandise such as adapted novels and a film scenario book from both films, as well as a digitally remastered DVD of AADC that contains newly produced special features. (kes)(+)

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