French cinema icon Catherine Deneuve has begun filming in Japan of “Spirit World,” a fantasy-drama film directed by Singapore’s Eric Khoo.
Deneuve portrays a singer who dies suddenly while on tour in Japan. But her spirit lives on and she embarks on a journey to find humanity in the after-world.
The project was revealed by the city government of Takasaki, an ancient town on Honshu Island between Tokyo and Kyoto, where production began over the weekend. Work is expected to continue for 10 days, before moving to other locations.
“I’m happy that a movie starring Deneuve is filmed in Takasaki. I’d like to cooperate in the filming,” said city mayor, Tomioka Kenji.
The film is understood to be based on an original screenplay. It is structured as a three-way production involving companies from Singapore, Japan and France and with financial support from authorities in Singapore. The producers are...
Deneuve portrays a singer who dies suddenly while on tour in Japan. But her spirit lives on and she embarks on a journey to find humanity in the after-world.
The project was revealed by the city government of Takasaki, an ancient town on Honshu Island between Tokyo and Kyoto, where production began over the weekend. Work is expected to continue for 10 days, before moving to other locations.
“I’m happy that a movie starring Deneuve is filmed in Takasaki. I’d like to cooperate in the filming,” said city mayor, Tomioka Kenji.
The film is understood to be based on an original screenplay. It is structured as a three-way production involving companies from Singapore, Japan and France and with financial support from authorities in Singapore. The producers are...
- 1/10/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Dean Fujioka (“Fullmetal Alchemist”) and Callum Woodhouse (“All Creatures Great and Small”) have been set to lead the cast of creature feature Orang Ikan, Variety reports.
The film is set during World War II. The creature? A human-fish hybrid!
Variety details, “Set in the Pacific, 1942, a Japanese ship transports prisoners of war to occupied territories as slave labor. After being torpedoed by allied submarines, a Japanese soldier and a British Pow are stranded on a deserted island, but soon discover they are not alone.
“They are being hunted by a ferocious mythological creature, the Orang Ikan, a human-fish hybrid. Unable to communicate in each other’s language, the two mortal enemies must come together to survive the unknown.”
Mike Wiluan wrote the script and will be directing.
Producer Eric Khoo tells Variety, “I grew up on a steady diet of horror movies which ranged from the supernatural to monster flicks.
The film is set during World War II. The creature? A human-fish hybrid!
Variety details, “Set in the Pacific, 1942, a Japanese ship transports prisoners of war to occupied territories as slave labor. After being torpedoed by allied submarines, a Japanese soldier and a British Pow are stranded on a deserted island, but soon discover they are not alone.
“They are being hunted by a ferocious mythological creature, the Orang Ikan, a human-fish hybrid. Unable to communicate in each other’s language, the two mortal enemies must come together to survive the unknown.”
Mike Wiluan wrote the script and will be directing.
Producer Eric Khoo tells Variety, “I grew up on a steady diet of horror movies which ranged from the supernatural to monster flicks.
- 9/21/2023
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Japan’s Dean Fujioka and the U.K.’s Callum Woodhouse are set to star in “Orang Ikan,” a WWII-set creature horror film. The picture is scripted by Singapore and Indonesia-based Mike Wiluan who will also direct the picture from next month.
International rights to “Orang Ikan” have been picked up by London-based Sc Films International, which will give the project its sales launch at the Busan festival and accompanying market next month.
Set in the Pacific, 1942, a Japanese ship transports prisoners of war to occupied territories as slave labor. After being torpedoed by allied submarines, a Japanese soldier and a British Pow are stranded on a deserted island, but soon discover they are not alone. They are being hunted by a ferocious mythological creature, the Orang Ikan, a human-fish hybrid. Unable to communicate in each other’s language, the two mortal enemies must come together to survive the unknown.
International rights to “Orang Ikan” have been picked up by London-based Sc Films International, which will give the project its sales launch at the Busan festival and accompanying market next month.
Set in the Pacific, 1942, a Japanese ship transports prisoners of war to occupied territories as slave labor. After being torpedoed by allied submarines, a Japanese soldier and a British Pow are stranded on a deserted island, but soon discover they are not alone. They are being hunted by a ferocious mythological creature, the Orang Ikan, a human-fish hybrid. Unable to communicate in each other’s language, the two mortal enemies must come together to survive the unknown.
- 9/19/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Motel Moves
Indonesian horror feature “Losmen Melati” (aka “Motel Melati”) has set theatrical releases in Malaysian and Singaporean cinemas on April 6, and April 13, respectively, following its release in Indonesia on Thursday. The film is co-directed by Mike Wiluan and Billy Christian. It tells the story of a secluded and enigmatic guest house, run by its mystifying owner, Madam Melati. As she lures in unsuspecting visitors to the guest house, they are confronted with their worst nightmares, never to be seen again. The movie features a cast of Alexandra Gottardo (“Tanah Air Beta”), Kiki Narendra (“Perempuan Tanah Jahanam”), Fandy Christian (“Letters for You”) and Samuel Panjaitan (“Ghost also Selfie”). Presented by streamer Catchplay and Infinite Studios, “Losmen Melati” is co-distributed by Clover Films and Golden Village Pictures in Singapore.
Selling To Hong Kong
Independent TV distributor All3Media International has struck new sales deals in Hong Kong with Now TV. Now Studio,...
Indonesian horror feature “Losmen Melati” (aka “Motel Melati”) has set theatrical releases in Malaysian and Singaporean cinemas on April 6, and April 13, respectively, following its release in Indonesia on Thursday. The film is co-directed by Mike Wiluan and Billy Christian. It tells the story of a secluded and enigmatic guest house, run by its mystifying owner, Madam Melati. As she lures in unsuspecting visitors to the guest house, they are confronted with their worst nightmares, never to be seen again. The movie features a cast of Alexandra Gottardo (“Tanah Air Beta”), Kiki Narendra (“Perempuan Tanah Jahanam”), Fandy Christian (“Letters for You”) and Samuel Panjaitan (“Ghost also Selfie”). Presented by streamer Catchplay and Infinite Studios, “Losmen Melati” is co-distributed by Clover Films and Golden Village Pictures in Singapore.
Selling To Hong Kong
Independent TV distributor All3Media International has struck new sales deals in Hong Kong with Now TV. Now Studio,...
- 3/20/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
International co-productions are now the bread and butter of the content industry, offering direct access to new markets and audiences. With the regional headquarters of studio heavyweights like Netflix, The Walt Disney Co. and HBO Asia in its backyard, Singapore has emerged as a key player in matchmaking global projects with local companies and talent.
However, given the city-state’s relatively small population — 5.7 million — and high market saturation, Singapore’s position in the regional content industry is unique, with many overseas studios seeking partnerships with Singaporean companies but not prioritizing the domestic market at all. Realistically, most international partners operating in Singapore are looking for stories, eyeballs and revenue streams elsewhere — most often, in the more populous countries of surrounding Southeast Asia.
To meet the complexities and challenges of such a position, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (Imda) has invested heavily in local...
International co-productions are now the bread and butter of the content industry, offering direct access to new markets and audiences. With the regional headquarters of studio heavyweights like Netflix, The Walt Disney Co. and HBO Asia in its backyard, Singapore has emerged as a key player in matchmaking global projects with local companies and talent.
However, given the city-state’s relatively small population — 5.7 million — and high market saturation, Singapore’s position in the regional content industry is unique, with many overseas studios seeking partnerships with Singaporean companies but not prioritizing the domestic market at all. Realistically, most international partners operating in Singapore are looking for stories, eyeballs and revenue streams elsewhere — most often, in the more populous countries of surrounding Southeast Asia.
To meet the complexities and challenges of such a position, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (Imda) has invested heavily in local...
- 10/19/2022
- by Sara Merican
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The 7th edition of the National Youth Film Awards (Nyfa) opens for submission today. Organised by *Scape, a non-profit organisation, Nyfa is one of *Scape’s longest running apex programme that provides a platform to empower young, aspiring filmmakers in their pursuit of filmmaking.
Themed ‘New Dawn, New Beginnings’, Nyfa 2021 will explore the evolving film industry and prepare youths for post-Covid-19 recovery. The annual award is supported by the National Youth Council and Objectifs.
New extensions and programmes like never before
As Singapore’s only platform that is catered to youth filmmakers, Nyfa is more than just giving accolades. Over the last seven years, Nyfa has recognised nearly 800 youth filmmakers. Nyfa has also provided commissioned jobs through partners, distribution opportunities, and regional exposure with SeaShorts Film Festival and Cartoons Underground.
Nyfa as a platform also continues to bring together the local filmmaking community. As part of its annual series, Nyfa...
Themed ‘New Dawn, New Beginnings’, Nyfa 2021 will explore the evolving film industry and prepare youths for post-Covid-19 recovery. The annual award is supported by the National Youth Council and Objectifs.
New extensions and programmes like never before
As Singapore’s only platform that is catered to youth filmmakers, Nyfa is more than just giving accolades. Over the last seven years, Nyfa has recognised nearly 800 youth filmmakers. Nyfa has also provided commissioned jobs through partners, distribution opportunities, and regional exposure with SeaShorts Film Festival and Cartoons Underground.
Nyfa as a platform also continues to bring together the local filmmaking community. As part of its annual series, Nyfa...
- 3/18/2021
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
2019 Foreign Language Film Oscar Submissions Algeria – Until The End Of Time – Yasmine Chouikh Argentina– The Angel (El Angel) – Luis Ortega Austria – The Waldheim Waltz – Ruth Beckermann Belarus – Crystal Swan – Darya Zhuk Belgium – Girl – Lukas Dhont Bolivia – Muralla – Rodrigo Patiño Bosnia – Never Leave Me – Aida Begic Brazil – The Great Mystical Circus – Carlos Diegues Bulgaria – Omnipresent – Ilian Djevelekov Cambodia – Graves Without A Name – Rithy Pan Canada – Watch Dog – Sophie Dupuis Chile – And Suddenly The Dawn – Silvio Caiozzi Colombia– Birds of Passage, Cristina Gallego & Ciro Guerra Croatia – The Eighth Commissioner – Ivan Salaj Czech Republic – Winter Flies – Olmo Omerzu Denmark – The Guilty – Gustav Möller Dominican Republic – Cocote – Nelson Carlo de los Santos Ecuador – A Son Of Man – Jamaicanoproblem and Pablo Agüero Egypt – Yomeddine – Abu Bakr Shawky Estonia – Take It Or Leave It – Liina Trishkina-Vanhatalo Finland – Euthanizer – Teemu Nikin France – Memoir Of War – Emmanuel Finkiel Georgia – Namme – Zaza Khalvashi Germany – Never Look Away – Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck...
- 8/21/2020
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
As Singapore’s stature continues to grow in the entertainment world, and with international producers forever on the lookout for exotic but affordable locations, the Asian country is once again in global sights as a major production hub.
Singapore’s distinctive topography of cityscapes and countryside, coupled with its unique cultural blend of East and West, has led some to consider it the ideal Asian environment — especially given the unsettled recent politics of mainland China, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Manila.
“The concept of ‘hubbing’ is a natural fit for Singapore, given the country’s post-independence history and livelihood as an international trading center and the multicultural, multilingual nature of its workforce,” says Kenneth Tan, head of the Singapore Film Society.
Indeed, the international success of “Crazy Rich Asians” last year, alongside the Singaporean government’s various initiatives promising subsidies to major productions, has caused a spike in interest over the past few years.
Singapore’s distinctive topography of cityscapes and countryside, coupled with its unique cultural blend of East and West, has led some to consider it the ideal Asian environment — especially given the unsettled recent politics of mainland China, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Manila.
“The concept of ‘hubbing’ is a natural fit for Singapore, given the country’s post-independence history and livelihood as an international trading center and the multicultural, multilingual nature of its workforce,” says Kenneth Tan, head of the Singapore Film Society.
Indeed, the international success of “Crazy Rich Asians” last year, alongside the Singaporean government’s various initiatives promising subsidies to major productions, has caused a spike in interest over the past few years.
- 10/15/2019
- by Pavan Shamdasani
- Variety Film + TV
Today, Goldwyn Meyer released Indonesian western (and Singapore's submission for the Oscars' "Best Foreign-Language Film category), Buffalo Boys on Digital platforms, OnDemand and in select theaters.
The internationally produced, 19th century martial-arts western was directed by Mike Wiluan (also a co-producer on Crazy Rich Asians) and co-written with Raymond Lee and Rayya Markarim. It premiered at the Fantasian Film Festival last year in Montreal.
Synopsis:
Two exiled brothers who grew up on the plains of the American Wild West, return to their rightful home to unrave...
The internationally produced, 19th century martial-arts western was directed by Mike Wiluan (also a co-producer on Crazy Rich Asians) and co-written with Raymond Lee and Rayya Markarim. It premiered at the Fantasian Film Festival last year in Montreal.
Synopsis:
Two exiled brothers who grew up on the plains of the American Wild West, return to their rightful home to unrave...
- 1/11/2019
- QuietEarth.us
Indonesian western and Singapore's submission for the Oscars' "Best Foreign-Language Film category, Buffalo Boys, is now available in select theaters and on Digital. The internationally produced, 19th century martial-arts western was directed by Mike Wiluan (also a co-producer on Crazy Rich Asians) and co-written with Raymond Lee and Rayya Markarim. It garnered favaorable reviews when it premiered at the Fantasian Film Festival last year (though our own Andrew Mack was largly disappointed). In the film, two exiled brothers who grew up on the plains of the American Wild West, return to their rightful home to unravel the mystery of their past and avenge the brutal death of their parents. Buffalo Boys stars Yoshi Sudarso (TV's "Power Rangers: Dino Chargo" and "Pretty Boys"), Ario Bayu (Java...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 1/11/2019
- Screen Anarchy
It may be helpful to contextualize Buffalo Boys through the lens of colonization. This Indonesian riff on the Spaghetti Western is given cultural specificity through its contemplation on the violent process of living as a native in a now-colonized land, as much as it is by the martial arts flair which distinguishes it from Western cinema practices. This study—and the medium by which it is presented—also explains the film’s jarring oscillations in tone, which leads to a nasty comedown from its often silly presentation. This means that a bout of brotherly banter is juxtaposed by depictions of genocide and pillaging, or that the adrenaline form a rip-roaring action sequence is cut short by a grotesque assault. The result of this concoction is a rousing action picture, sometimes misguided, even offensive, but never dull.
The film follows two competitive but loving brothers traveling across Indonesia with their uncle.
The film follows two competitive but loving brothers traveling across Indonesia with their uncle.
- 1/10/2019
- by Mike Mazzanti
- The Film Stage
The Palm Springs International Film Festival has announced its 2019 lineup, and it’s prodigious: 223 films from 78 countries, four of them world premieres. Though well known for celebrating future Oscar nominees (and winners) each year, the festival also boasts a deceptively robust world-cinema slate; among the upcoming offerings are Jia Zhangke’s “Ash Is Purest White,” Sergey Loznitsa’s “Donbass,” Cristina Gallego and Ciro Guerra’s “Birds of Passage,” and Ryūsuke Hamaguchi’s “Asako I & II,” to name just a few.
A number of post-screening Q&As will also be held, including with “Black Klansman” author Ron Stallworth and “Support the Girls” star Regina Hall, in addition to a new section celebrating the best films to screen at Psiff throughout its first three decades.
World premieres:
Buck Run (USA), Director Nick Frangione
Carlos Almaraz Playing With Fire (USA), Directors Elsa Flores Almaraz, Richard Montoya (Schlesinger Documentary Competition)
The Last Color...
A number of post-screening Q&As will also be held, including with “Black Klansman” author Ron Stallworth and “Support the Girls” star Regina Hall, in addition to a new section celebrating the best films to screen at Psiff throughout its first three decades.
World premieres:
Buck Run (USA), Director Nick Frangione
Carlos Almaraz Playing With Fire (USA), Directors Elsa Flores Almaraz, Richard Montoya (Schlesinger Documentary Competition)
The Last Color...
- 12/14/2018
- by Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
Earlier this year we saw there release of an Indonesian western in Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts (trailer) and now we have another western from an unlikely country: Singapore.
Buffalo Boys is the directorial debut of Mike Wiluan, an actor and producer behind Crazy Rich Asians, Hitman: Agent 47 and Headshot.
The movie unfolds in 19th century Java. When the sultan is murdered by Dutch soldiers, the sultan's brother and two infant sons manage to escape to America's Wild West. Years later, the boys return to Indonesia to avenge their father's death.
The trailer for Buffalo Boys plays like an al...
Buffalo Boys is the directorial debut of Mike Wiluan, an actor and producer behind Crazy Rich Asians, Hitman: Agent 47 and Headshot.
The movie unfolds in 19th century Java. When the sultan is murdered by Dutch soldiers, the sultan's brother and two infant sons manage to escape to America's Wild West. Years later, the boys return to Indonesia to avenge their father's death.
The trailer for Buffalo Boys plays like an al...
- 11/14/2018
- QuietEarth.us
Japan’s Nikkatsu is poised to be one of the busiest sales companies at the Tiffcom market this week. In addition to local hit “One Cut of the Dead” and festival favorite “Killing,” the company has a slate of titles in post-production that it is pitching at the autumn festivals and markets.
Youth drama, “We Are Little Zombies” is set for an early summer release in 2019. Written and directed by Makoto Nagahisa, who last year won a grand prize at Sundance for his short film “And So We Put Goldfish in The Pool,” the film is a story of four youngsters who all lose their parents around the same time. Realizing that they are devoid of emotion, they put together a kick-ass band to try to recover their ability to feel.
Written and directed by Indonesia’s Kimo Stamboel – one half of the so-called Mo Brothers – “Dreadout: Tower of Hell...
Youth drama, “We Are Little Zombies” is set for an early summer release in 2019. Written and directed by Makoto Nagahisa, who last year won a grand prize at Sundance for his short film “And So We Put Goldfish in The Pool,” the film is a story of four youngsters who all lose their parents around the same time. Realizing that they are devoid of emotion, they put together a kick-ass band to try to recover their ability to feel.
Written and directed by Indonesia’s Kimo Stamboel – one half of the so-called Mo Brothers – “Dreadout: Tower of Hell...
- 10/23/2018
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
It has been a banner year of publicity for Singapore, the runaway success of “Crazy Rich Asians” and the global news focus of the Kim-Trump Summit shining a spotlight on the small city state. With recent announcements of a raft of premium TV productions, the island is also fast establishing itself as a major regional center for creative production, financing and broadcast deal-making.
Authorities in Singapore have long courted brands like Discovery, Fox and Disney with favorable tax and employment environments. These efforts are now paying dividends on the deal-making front, with international players opening regional offices in Singapore to take advantage of the critical mass and infrastructure.
“The talent pool is great here. We moved our creative services team from Hong Kong to Singapore about two or three years ago,” said James Moore, corporate communications director at Turner Asia Pacific. “A lot of our big clients are down this way,...
Authorities in Singapore have long courted brands like Discovery, Fox and Disney with favorable tax and employment environments. These efforts are now paying dividends on the deal-making front, with international players opening regional offices in Singapore to take advantage of the critical mass and infrastructure.
“The talent pool is great here. We moved our creative services team from Hong Kong to Singapore about two or three years ago,” said James Moore, corporate communications director at Turner Asia Pacific. “A lot of our big clients are down this way,...
- 10/14/2018
- by Marcus Lim
- Variety Film + TV
First-time submissions come from Malawi and Niger as Austrlia and New Zealand join the list.
Eighty-seven countries have submitted films for this year’s foreign language film Oscar, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has revealed - a drop from the record 92 that submitted last year.
Countries submitting films in the category for the first time include Malawi - which has entered Shemu Joyah’s The Road to Sunrise - and Niger, whose submission is Rahmatou Keïta’s The Wedding Ring.
Submissions that had not previously been confirmed include Australian entry Jirga, from director Benjamin Gilmour, and New Zealand contender Yellow Is Forbidden,...
Eighty-seven countries have submitted films for this year’s foreign language film Oscar, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has revealed - a drop from the record 92 that submitted last year.
Countries submitting films in the category for the first time include Malawi - which has entered Shemu Joyah’s The Road to Sunrise - and Niger, whose submission is Rahmatou Keïta’s The Wedding Ring.
Submissions that had not previously been confirmed include Australian entry Jirga, from director Benjamin Gilmour, and New Zealand contender Yellow Is Forbidden,...
- 10/9/2018
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
First-time submissions come from Malawi and Niger as Austrlia and New Zealand join the list.
Eighty-seven countries have submitted films for this year’s foreign language film Oscar, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has revealed, a drop from the record 92 that submitted last year.
Countries submitting films in the category for the first time include Malawi, which has entered Shemu Joyah’s The Road to Sunrise, and Niger, whose submission is Rahmatou Keïta’s The Wedding Ring.
Submissions that had not previously been confirmed include Australian entry Jirga, from director Benjamin Gilmour, and New Zealand contender Yellow Is Forbidden,...
Eighty-seven countries have submitted films for this year’s foreign language film Oscar, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has revealed, a drop from the record 92 that submitted last year.
Countries submitting films in the category for the first time include Malawi, which has entered Shemu Joyah’s The Road to Sunrise, and Niger, whose submission is Rahmatou Keïta’s The Wedding Ring.
Submissions that had not previously been confirmed include Australian entry Jirga, from director Benjamin Gilmour, and New Zealand contender Yellow Is Forbidden,...
- 10/8/2018
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the official list of submissions for the 2019 Oscar for best foreign language film. There are 87 countries vying for the prize this awards season, including first-time entrants Malawi and Niger. Included among the titles are high-profile contenders such as Mexico’s “Roma” and Poland’s “Cold War,” both of which are vying to break out of the foreign race and earn nominations for best picture, best director, and more.
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, January 22, 2019. The 91st Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 24, 2019. Click here to view predictions for the foreign language Oscar race from IndieWire’s awards editor Anne Thompson.
2018 Foreign Oscar Submissions
Afghanistan, “Rona Azim’s Mother,” Jamshid Mahmoudi, director
Algeria, “Until the End of Time,” Yasmine Chouikh, director
Argentina, “El Ángel,” Luis Ortega, director
Armenia, “Spitak,” Alexander Kott, director
Australia, “Jirga,...
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, January 22, 2019. The 91st Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 24, 2019. Click here to view predictions for the foreign language Oscar race from IndieWire’s awards editor Anne Thompson.
2018 Foreign Oscar Submissions
Afghanistan, “Rona Azim’s Mother,” Jamshid Mahmoudi, director
Algeria, “Until the End of Time,” Yasmine Chouikh, director
Argentina, “El Ángel,” Luis Ortega, director
Armenia, “Spitak,” Alexander Kott, director
Australia, “Jirga,...
- 10/8/2018
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
In today’s film news roundup, “Buffalo Boys” gets Us distribution, Full Moon Empire buys a library, “Invincible” gets cast and a Liechtenstein-based film fund is announced.
Acquistions
Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired the North American rights to Mike Wiluan’s western “Buffalo Boys,” Singapore’s entry in the foreign-language Academy Awards category, Variety has learned exclusively.
The film stars Yoshi Sudarso, Ario Bayu, Pevita Pearce, Tio Pakusadewo, Conan Stevens and Reinout Bussemaker. “Buffalo Boys” will be released in theaters and VOD on Jan. 11.
The film begins in 19th Century Java as a brutal massacre and the murder of a sultan forces the sultan’s brother and infant sons to flee to the American Wild West. After working the railroads and learning the cowboy way of life, the boys return to their homeland to avenge their father’s death.
“Buffalo Boys” was produced by Mike Wiluan, Huang Junxiang, Tan Fong Cheng,...
Acquistions
Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired the North American rights to Mike Wiluan’s western “Buffalo Boys,” Singapore’s entry in the foreign-language Academy Awards category, Variety has learned exclusively.
The film stars Yoshi Sudarso, Ario Bayu, Pevita Pearce, Tio Pakusadewo, Conan Stevens and Reinout Bussemaker. “Buffalo Boys” will be released in theaters and VOD on Jan. 11.
The film begins in 19th Century Java as a brutal massacre and the murder of a sultan forces the sultan’s brother and infant sons to flee to the American Wild West. After working the railroads and learning the cowboy way of life, the boys return to their homeland to avenge their father’s death.
“Buffalo Boys” was produced by Mike Wiluan, Huang Junxiang, Tan Fong Cheng,...
- 10/3/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Action drama film, “Buffalo Boys” will represent Singapore in the foreign-language Oscars category. The film is directed by Mike Wiluan, who also heads the Infinite Studios production group.
Set in 19th century Java, “Buffalo Boys” blends a Wild West story with rich Indonesian historical and cultural elements. It plays in Bahasa Indonesia language and English.
“’Buffalo Boys’ explores the universally resonating themes of family ties and justice, creatively expressed by Singapore film maker,” said Singapore Film Commission director Joachim Ng. The film had its premiere at the Fantasia festival in Canada in July and played at the New York Asian Film Festival the same month. Its theatrical release in Singapore, which is necessary to complete the qualifying conditions, is set for later this week.
“Buffalo Boys is a cross-cultural film not only in genre and narrative but also in the spirit of collaboration as it is a venture between the Singapore and Indonesian creative economies,...
Set in 19th century Java, “Buffalo Boys” blends a Wild West story with rich Indonesian historical and cultural elements. It plays in Bahasa Indonesia language and English.
“’Buffalo Boys’ explores the universally resonating themes of family ties and justice, creatively expressed by Singapore film maker,” said Singapore Film Commission director Joachim Ng. The film had its premiere at the Fantasia festival in Canada in July and played at the New York Asian Film Festival the same month. Its theatrical release in Singapore, which is necessary to complete the qualifying conditions, is set for later this week.
“Buffalo Boys is a cross-cultural film not only in genre and narrative but also in the spirit of collaboration as it is a venture between the Singapore and Indonesian creative economies,...
- 9/4/2018
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Mike Wiluan’s Buffalo Boys is a pulpy, Wild West-inspired revenge thriller by way of Javanese commemoration. As a directorial debut, it’s enjoyable enough when quad-barrel shotguns blast crooked gentrifiers through saloon windows. As a complete “legends are born” horseback – er, buffaloback – adventure, glossy surface-value filmmaking charts plottable highs and lows without much introspection […]
The post ‘Buffalo Boys’ is a Wild Shotgun Blast of Exciting Action and Overly Familiar Story Beats [Fantasia Film Festival] appeared first on /Film.
The post ‘Buffalo Boys’ is a Wild Shotgun Blast of Exciting Action and Overly Familiar Story Beats [Fantasia Film Festival] appeared first on /Film.
- 8/3/2018
- by Matt Donato
- Slash Film
Excuse me kind sirs, but could you point me in the right direction as to where the action is? It is 19th Century Indonesia, the Dutch West Indies, and Arana has returned to the island of Java with his nephews Jamar and Suwo after twenty years in self exile from the Dutch colony. Arana fled with his then-infant nephews when his brother Hamza, the sultan of the land, was slain by Van Trach when he went to the Dutch Resident to negotiate a peace settlement. Returning from a couple of decades in the American Wild West the trio return to exact their revenge on Van Trach for the cold blooded murder of their brother and father. Mike Wiluan, producer of made-in-Indonesia films like...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 7/27/2018
- Screen Anarchy
A basic white hat/black hat “B” western despite its novel setting in 19th-century Java, “Buffalo Boys” reps a polished directorial debut for producer Mike Wiluan that’s good fun but feels a bit generically assembled. Still, this tale of exiled brothers returning to avenge their father’s murder by evil colonialists is a colorful popcorn entertainment that should please Asian action fans even if it doesn’t rank among the best films Indonesia has had to offer in recent years. Those thirsting for an old-fashioned Western will find “Boys” diverting enough if a mite cartoonish.
Having fled assassins hired by the Dutch occupiers two decades before, Uncle Arana (Tio Pakusadewo) has raised his slain sultan brother’s two sons in America, where they’ve labored building the transcontinental railroad. Now, reserved Jamar (Ario Bayu) and amiable younger sibling Suwo (Yoshi Sudarso) are strapping young men ready to claim their...
Having fled assassins hired by the Dutch occupiers two decades before, Uncle Arana (Tio Pakusadewo) has raised his slain sultan brother’s two sons in America, where they’ve labored building the transcontinental railroad. Now, reserved Jamar (Ario Bayu) and amiable younger sibling Suwo (Yoshi Sudarso) are strapping young men ready to claim their...
- 7/26/2018
- by Dennis Harvey
- Variety Film + TV
In one of the latest tendencies in Asian cinema, production companies from S. Korea and Japan have begun penetrating the Indonesian market, financing local filmmakers to shoot big budget productions (for the country’s standards that is). Cj Entertainment financed Joko Anwar’s “Satan Slaves” for example, while in this case, Nikkatsu funded Mike Wiluan, producer of films like “Headshot” and “Macabre”, to shoot a Western with an Indonesian flavor. The result was this particular movie.
“Buffalo Boys” is screening at the 17th New York Asian Film Festival
In 1860, Arana, Jamar and Suwo return to Indonesia after fleeing to America decades ago, following the massacre of sultan Hamza by Captain Van Trach, during an Indonesian uprising against the Dutch. The sole purpose of the three is to exact revenge from Van Trach. During their search, they stumble upon a group attacking Kiona and her grandfather, and proceed on saving the two.
“Buffalo Boys” is screening at the 17th New York Asian Film Festival
In 1860, Arana, Jamar and Suwo return to Indonesia after fleeing to America decades ago, following the massacre of sultan Hamza by Captain Van Trach, during an Indonesian uprising against the Dutch. The sole purpose of the three is to exact revenge from Van Trach. During their search, they stumble upon a group attacking Kiona and her grandfather, and proceed on saving the two.
- 7/16/2018
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
New York Asian Film Festival heads on global trawl for content, festival blind spots, ‘fear of China’.
As the 17th New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff) enters its final weekend, executive director Samuel Jamier and deputy director Stephen Cremin discuss why premieres aren’t always the be-all-and-end-all, the ‘fear of China’, Nyaff’s faithful audience, and international festival blind spots.
Presented by Film Society Of Lincoln Center and Subway Cinema and backed by a range of Asian bodies and New York-based private donors, the event runs from June 29-July 15 at Film Society Of Lincoln Center.
This year’s edition closes...
As the 17th New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff) enters its final weekend, executive director Samuel Jamier and deputy director Stephen Cremin discuss why premieres aren’t always the be-all-and-end-all, the ‘fear of China’, Nyaff’s faithful audience, and international festival blind spots.
Presented by Film Society Of Lincoln Center and Subway Cinema and backed by a range of Asian bodies and New York-based private donors, the event runs from June 29-July 15 at Film Society Of Lincoln Center.
This year’s edition closes...
- 7/13/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
It was just last month that we shared the first teaser for Mike Wiluan's upcoming Indonesian western Buffalo Boys and that has now been followed by a full theatrical trailer to serve up far more of the film's storyline and showcase some impressive action. A producer on Beyond Skyline, Dead Mine, Headshot and Macabre, Wiluan steps in to the director's chair for the first time himself here with a story set during the Dutch occupation and the return of a pair of brothers - the son's of a slain sultan - returned from a life in exile to avenge their family. It's a big story that demands a broad canvas and things are looking awfully fun in this new trailer. Take a look below!...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 4/21/2018
- Screen Anarchy
While you may not know his name, if you're a fan of recent genre films out of South East Asia you are almost certainly familiar with the work of Mike Wiluan. Wiluan has been busy as a producer over the last decade with credits on the Mo Brothers Macabre, action horror picture Dead Mine, scifi action picture Beyond Skyline and recent Iko Uwais starrer Headshot. And Wiluan makes the move to directing now with Indonesian western Buffalo Boys. Shot with the spirit of action-adventure serial throwbacks - think along the lines of the Brendan Fraser starring Mummy films - Buffalo Boys is set during the Dutch occupation of Indonesia with a pair of brothers raised in exile returning home to seek revenge and justice for...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 3/16/2018
- Screen Anarchy
White Sun wins key award at the 27th Singapore International Film Festival.
White Sun won best film in the Silver Screen Awards at the 27th Singapore International Film Festival.
The second feature of Nepalese director Deepak Rauniyar is about a Maoist who returns home to bury his father.
The jury found it “an exceptional and incisive film about civil war and memory that encapsulates the never-ending conflict that is the state of the world today, with a message of hope that a different future for all of us can be possible through our children”.
Abdullah Mohammad Saad was named best director for his debut feature Live From Dhaka, which also took best performance for actor Mostafa Monwar. Shot in grainy black and white, it tells the story of a partially handicapped man who lives his days in anguish as he tries to find a way to leave Dhaka.
A special mention went to Turah, the debut feature...
White Sun won best film in the Silver Screen Awards at the 27th Singapore International Film Festival.
The second feature of Nepalese director Deepak Rauniyar is about a Maoist who returns home to bury his father.
The jury found it “an exceptional and incisive film about civil war and memory that encapsulates the never-ending conflict that is the state of the world today, with a message of hope that a different future for all of us can be possible through our children”.
Abdullah Mohammad Saad was named best director for his debut feature Live From Dhaka, which also took best performance for actor Mostafa Monwar. Shot in grainy black and white, it tells the story of a partially handicapped man who lives his days in anguish as he tries to find a way to leave Dhaka.
A special mention went to Turah, the debut feature...
- 12/4/2016
- by screenasia@yahoo.com (Silvia Wong)
- ScreenDaily
The companies will collaborate on global distribution of the Indonesian action thriller starring Iko Uwais of The Raid fame.
Nikkatsu Corporation handles international sales and Vertical Entertainment and Xyz Films will release in North America and will coordinate a simultaneous worldwide VOD release across multiple platforms with theatrical in select territories.
The Mo Brothers are currently shooting Headshot in Indonesia. Chelsea Islan, Julie Estelle, and Sunny Pang also star in the story about an amnesiac who washes ashore with a mysterious head injury and is nursed back to health by a young doctor.
Timo Tjahjanto, one half of the Mo Brothers alongside Kimo Stamboel, wrote the screenplay and Mike Wiluan, Wicky Olindo, Sukdev Singhand Shinjiro Nishimura produce.
Screenplay Infinite Film, Surya Citra Media, Amuse Entertainment Singapore and Nikkatsu Corporation Japan finance the project.
“The distribution landscape is changing for films like Headshot,” said Nikkatsu evp of international operations Aki Sugihara. “It makes the...
Nikkatsu Corporation handles international sales and Vertical Entertainment and Xyz Films will release in North America and will coordinate a simultaneous worldwide VOD release across multiple platforms with theatrical in select territories.
The Mo Brothers are currently shooting Headshot in Indonesia. Chelsea Islan, Julie Estelle, and Sunny Pang also star in the story about an amnesiac who washes ashore with a mysterious head injury and is nursed back to health by a young doctor.
Timo Tjahjanto, one half of the Mo Brothers alongside Kimo Stamboel, wrote the screenplay and Mike Wiluan, Wicky Olindo, Sukdev Singhand Shinjiro Nishimura produce.
Screenplay Infinite Film, Surya Citra Media, Amuse Entertainment Singapore and Nikkatsu Corporation Japan finance the project.
“The distribution landscape is changing for films like Headshot,” said Nikkatsu evp of international operations Aki Sugihara. “It makes the...
- 11/11/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: As the Afm kicks off, and Fortitude International nears its 2nd birthday, the company has built a slate of elevated genre, thrillers and comedies with the latest addition, Android, a space-set sci-fier that will star Olga Kurylenko. Keeping Mum's Niall Johnson is directing from a script he co-wrote with Matt O'Reilly that taps into the current A.I. zeitgeist. Trademark Films' Ivan Mactaggart is producing with Infinite Studios Singapore's Mike Wiluan and Lindsey…...
- 11/5/2015
- Deadline
If we did not have a reason to watch Beyond Skyline, the upcoming sequel to the hope-dashing 2010 film Skyline, the World might just let out a collective 'Damnit! Now I have to see this!' after reading the following cast additions. Variety is reporting that Iko Uwais and Yayan Ruhian, stars and fight choreographers from The Raid films, have joined the cast and will choreograph the fights for Liam O'Donnell's sci-fi film. Uwais will play the leader of an underground resistance group when aliens invade Earth. Greg Strause, one of the first film's directors is producing along with his brother Colin, Matthew Chausse and Mike Wiluan. Filming is set to begin in Indonesia in December. Hey, that is convenient. That's where those guys live! Strause told Variety he hired...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 11/10/2014
- Screen Anarchy
"The Raid" star Iko Uwais will co-star with Frank Grillo in "Beyond Skyline," the upcoming follow-up to the 2010 alien invasion adventure "Skyline".
Join will play the leader of an underground resistance that forms after aliens touch down on earth. Grillo plays a father looking for his abducted child.
Uwais "Raid" franchise co-star Yayan Ruhian is also onboard the project, and the pair will act as fight choreographers on the film.
Liam O’Donnell is directing and has penned the script. Greg and Colin Strause, who helmed the first film, will produce alongside Matthew Chausse and Mike Wiluan.
Filming begins in Indonesia in early December.
Source: Variety...
Join will play the leader of an underground resistance that forms after aliens touch down on earth. Grillo plays a father looking for his abducted child.
Uwais "Raid" franchise co-star Yayan Ruhian is also onboard the project, and the pair will act as fight choreographers on the film.
Liam O’Donnell is directing and has penned the script. Greg and Colin Strause, who helmed the first film, will produce alongside Matthew Chausse and Mike Wiluan.
Filming begins in Indonesia in early December.
Source: Variety...
- 11/9/2014
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Australian writer Justine Juel Gillmer has signed with major Us talent agency Wme (Blake Fronstin) and with Jeff Silver.s 4th Floor Management.
Gillmer.s pilot Wanted has been optioned by ITV Studios Us Group and Deb Spera and Maria Grasso of One-Two Punch Productions, who, along with Gillmer, will executive produce the series.
Set in 1874, the drama follows three women - an assassin, a grifter and a healer . who become entwined in the web of a criminal conspiracy stretching across America's Wild West.
.The producing team, as well as Justine's reps, are currently working to solidify the package and are in contact with a select group of buyers,. said Keith Sweitzer, the literary manager and producer who represents Gillmer in Australia and is among the producers attached to Wanted.
Gillmer is writing one episode for each of the second series of Playmaker Media.s Love Child and FremantleMedia Australia.s Wonderland.
Gillmer.s pilot Wanted has been optioned by ITV Studios Us Group and Deb Spera and Maria Grasso of One-Two Punch Productions, who, along with Gillmer, will executive produce the series.
Set in 1874, the drama follows three women - an assassin, a grifter and a healer . who become entwined in the web of a criminal conspiracy stretching across America's Wild West.
.The producing team, as well as Justine's reps, are currently working to solidify the package and are in contact with a select group of buyers,. said Keith Sweitzer, the literary manager and producer who represents Gillmer in Australia and is among the producers attached to Wanted.
Gillmer is writing one episode for each of the second series of Playmaker Media.s Love Child and FremantleMedia Australia.s Wonderland.
- 4/15/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
At ScreenSingapore/Asian Television Forum (Atf) today, Singapore’s Infinite Studios signed an Mou on a joint venture with Indonesia’s Screenplay Productions to produce a slate of six Indonesian theatrical features.
Aiming in the long term to build a library of films that will work commercially in and out of the Indonesian market, the partnership will start with this first slate of six films with a total budget of $4m. It plans to move forward with an average of six films yearly.
With facilities in Singapore and Indonesia, Infinite Studios boasts sound stages, backlot and post-production services that have worked for the HBO Asia for its original series Serangoon Road and original film Dead Mine. The company recently provided production services for the Jakarta shoot of Michael Mann’s upcoming action thriller Cyber and also collaborates with Eric Khoo’s genre label Gorylah Productions.
“We are now looking to get into content creation that will further...
Aiming in the long term to build a library of films that will work commercially in and out of the Indonesian market, the partnership will start with this first slate of six films with a total budget of $4m. It plans to move forward with an average of six films yearly.
With facilities in Singapore and Indonesia, Infinite Studios boasts sound stages, backlot and post-production services that have worked for the HBO Asia for its original series Serangoon Road and original film Dead Mine. The company recently provided production services for the Jakarta shoot of Michael Mann’s upcoming action thriller Cyber and also collaborates with Eric Khoo’s genre label Gorylah Productions.
“We are now looking to get into content creation that will further...
- 12/4/2013
- by hjnoh2007@gmail.com (Jean Noh)
- ScreenDaily
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