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Filmmakers behind adaptation of Eka Kurniawan novel eye global audience
First look: Award-winning writer Eka Kurniawan (left) poses for a photo as he takes part in the production of his novel's film adaptation by Palari Films, alongside director Edwin (center), producers Muhammad Zaidy (second left) and Meiske Taurisia (right) and actress Ladya Cheryl, on Tuesday
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irst look: Award-winning writer Eka Kurniawan (left) poses for a photo as he takes part in the production of his novel's film adaptation by Palari Films, alongside director Edwin (center), producers Muhammad Zaidy (second left) and Meiske Taurisia (right) and actress Ladya Cheryl, on Tuesday. (Courtesy of Palari Films)
The third novel by award-winning author Eka Kurniawan, Seperti Dendam, Rindu Harus Dibayar Tuntas, peculiarly given the international title Vengeance is Mine, All Others Pay Cash, has its cards lined up to become the next most-awaited movie.
There is still another year to go before the movie hits theaters, but it has already shown strength with its film production and potential international appeal.
The novel has a vivid, cinematic storytelling style as it explores the love story of Ajo Kawir, a fighter who keeps his sexual impotency a secret, and Iteung, a female bodyguard of the local mafia.
Translated into six languages with good reviews worldwide, the novel, which is set in Indonesia in the 1980s and 90s, takes a look at gender equality issues and power relationships, all wrapped up nicely in a romantic story peppered with fights and a car chase.
The movie adaptation, helmed by award-winner Edwin, is said to be something else, as it will not entirely be tied to the original story.
“It will be full of excitement,” said Edwin, who co-wrote the script together with Eka, on the sidelines of a media briefing in Kinosaurus, South Jakarta, on Tuesday.
He hinted that, in the film, there would be a string of coming-of-age moments for the protagonist as he tries to strengthen his virility.
Edwin, who has directed many critically acclaimed films, such as Blind Pig Who Wants to Fly (2008), Postcards from the Zoo (2012), Posesif (Possessive, 2017) and his most recent work Aruna & Her Palate (2018), will explore different cinematic techniques by using home-movie style 16 mm film.
The use of the obsolete medium, according to Edwin, was meant to be a learning tool for those of the younger generations who had yet to be exposed to celluloid movies.
“The choice of which medium to use in making a movie should be in the hands of the artists. It would be interesting to bring together those who had worked with the analog system with a younger crew,” he said.
“We expect new exposure in the process, through which more people could take something out of the pool of ideas. There will be a lot of surprises as a result.”
This specific feature was among the reasons why the film was given a 2021 release date.
“We don’t have a lab facility for analog film in Indonesia as the industry has turned digital,” said producer Meiske Taurisia of Palari Films.
“Our team is still working on where to go for postproduction processing and how to market the film internationally. But we are excited to bring out a 16 mm movie in this digital era,” she added.
Palari Films, cofounded by Edwin, Meiske and Muhammad Zaidy, started working on the film in 2016 by obtaining the rights to it from Pontas Agency.
With a script secured, they embarked on international tours to get financial support.
It won the grand prize for Most Promising Project at Busan International Film Festival’s Asian Project Market in South Korea in 2016 and the Post-Production Award at the Hong Kong Asian Film Market (HAF) from Bangkok-based Whitelight Post in 2018.
Last year, the Singapore Film Commission gave Indonesian and Singaporean companies Palari Films, Phoenix Films and E&W Films the Southeast Asia Co-Production Grant so that they could collaborate for the film. Also in 2019, Thailand’s Purin Pictures gave its support through a production grant.
“This film has the potential to be screened worldwide, which is why we have been taking it slow in our preparations,” Meiske said.
With casting still ongoing, the production house introduced at the media event its first cast member, actress Ladya Cheryl, who will play Iteung.
Vengeance is Mine reunites her with Edwin for the first time in eight years. She has been in several of Edwin’s feature and short films, with Postcards from the Zoo being their most recent project together.
Filming is scheduled to start before the end of the year along a highway on the northern coast of Rembang, Central Java.
