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With 'Gadis Kretek', Kamila Andini and Netflix aim for 'best in class' Indonesian lore
Love, patriarchy, cigarettes, the harrowing 1960s. For the global streaming platform's latest Indonesian project, everything relies on the right story, and the right woman at the helm.
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'Gadis Kretek', Netflix's original Indonesian miniseries, premieres on the global streaming platform on Nov. 2. The miniseries stars Dian Sastrowardoyo (pictured), Ario Bayu, Arya Saloka and Putri Marino. (Courtesy of Netflix /-)
Nov. 2 was an important day for Kamila Andini.
Not only was the miniseries that she co-directed, Gadis Kretek (its English title being Cigarette Girl), finally made available to stream on the global over-the-top streaming service Netflix, but she was also looking forward to the response that her latest project would elicit. Gadis Kretek also happens to be her first foray into miniseries and the first period-drama miniseries launched under the banner of Netflix Indonesia.
Kamila explained in a conversation with The Jakarta Post that seeing how the public reacts is part of the thrill of being a storyteller.
"It's like giving birth to a baby. Your whole day will always revolve around that baby. You can't compare it with your older babies; they're bigger now and they can take care of themselves. There's a different proximity [with the new baby], so it's difficult for me to explain," Kamila said, laughing.
"One thing is for sure, though, with every new baby, I am born again."
Gadis Kretek is, indeed, one heck of a baby. Directed alongside her husband Ifa Isfansyah (The Dancer) and produced by Shanty Harmayn (Impetigore), the five-episode Netflix original miniseries stars Citra Award winner Dian Sastrowardoyo (Aruna & Her Palate), Ario Bayu (Buffalo Boys), Arya Saloka (Night Bus) and two-time Citra Award winner Putri Marino (The Big 4).
Furthermore, the supporting cast comprises some of Indonesia's most seasoned actors, such as Nungki Kusumastuti (Shackled Woman), Verdi Solaiman (27 Steps of May), Rukman Rosadi (Tales of the Otherwords) and Tutie Kirana (May).
