Indonesian horror are the films of the horror genre produced by the Indonesian film industry. Often inspired by local folklore and religious elements, [2] [3] Indonesian horror films have been produced in the country since the 1960s. After a hiatus during the Suharto era in the 1990s, when censorship affected production, Indonesian horror films continued being produced following Reformasi in 1998. [4] [5]
Ghosts and magical folklore have long been part of Indonesian culture. These later influenced the development of horror films. [6] Kuntilanak are particularly prominent in local horror films. [2]
During the authoritarian New Order regime under President Suharto, many horror films included religious symbolism and heroes to adhere to strict guidelines from censors. The Ministry Information under Ali Murtopo required that Indonesian films at the time had to follow strict moral and ethical guidelines, meaning many horror films juxtaposed violence and sexuality with religious heroes and themes. [7] Thomas Barker has argued that films produced after 1998 in Indonesia have been particularly shaped by what he described as the residual "trauma" of violence under the preceding New Order era under President Suharto. [2]
Suzzanna was a major film star in the 1970s and 1980s for her work in horror films. She appeared in 42 films before her death in 2008, including Bernafas dalam Lumpur , Beranak dalam Kubur and Sundel Bolong. [1]
Indonesian horror films, particularly the work of Joko Anwar, attracted heightened international attention in the late 2010s, aided by streaming services. Some outlets declared films like Impetigore (2019) as part of a new wave of folk horror films from Southeast Asia. [3] [6] Impetigore was Indonesia's submission for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film in its year of release and attracted international recognition, but was not nominated. [3] [8]
HBO Asia also released Indonesian-developed horror television series Halfworlds . [6]
Themes approached in Indonesian horror include haunted forests as in Alas Pati: Hutan Mati (2018) [9] and ghost stories (as in Itim), for example.
| Rank | Title | Admissions | Year | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KKN di Desa Penari | 10.061.033 | 2022 | Awi Suryadi |
| 2 | Satan's Slaves 2: Communion | 6.391.982 | 2022 | Joko Anwar |
| 3 | Sewu Dino | 4.891.609 | 2023 | Kimo Stamboel |
| 4 | Satan's Slaves | 4.206.103 | 2017 | Joko Anwar |
| 5 | Suzzanna: Buried Alive | 3.346.185 | 2018 | Anggy Umbara, Rocky Soraya |
| 6 | Di Ambang Kematian | 3.302.047 | 2023 | Azhar Kinoi Lubis |
| 7 | Ivanna | 2.951.204 | 2022 | Kimo Stamboel |
| 8 | Danur | 2.736.391 | 2017 | Awi Suryadi |
| 9 | Siksa Neraka | 2.610.036 | 2023 | Anggy Umbara |
| 10 | Danur 2: Maddah | 2.572.871 | 2018 | Awi Suryadi |
Examples of Indonesian horror games based on folklore story, such as DreadOut and Pamali: Indonesian Folklore Horror
The Kuntilanak, also called Pontianak, or Yakshi in Hinduism/ Hindu mythology is a mythological creature in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. It is similar to Langsuir in other Southeast Asia regions. The Pontianak usually takes the form of a pregnant woman who is unable to give birth to a child. Alternatively, it is often described as a vampiric, vengeful female spirit. Another form of the Pontianak refers to the ghost or white lady of Southeast Asian folklore.
Joko Anwar is an Indonesian film director, producer, screenwriter, and actor. Prior to becoming a filmmaker, he worked as a journalist and film critic.
Suzzanna Martha Frederika van Osch was an Indonesian actress. Known as the "Queen of Indonesian horror", she is well-known in particular in Indonesia for portraying spirits, witches, and other supernatural beings. She was crowned the best female antagonist in Indonesian film industry along with Ruth Pelupessy and Mieke Wijaya.
Satan's Slave is a 1980 Indonesian horror film directed by Sisworo Gautama Putra. The plot follows a wealthy family who have stopped practicing their Muslim faith and are tormented by the undead after their mother dies. It has achieved cult status among fans of Asian horror films, principally because it has been unavailable for many years, except as an obscure Japanese VHS pressing with no English subtitles. In 2006, Brentwood Home Video, a specialist US label, released an uncut print on DVD for retail release as part of its Eastern Horror series. Among Western fans, it is notable for being one of the few classic horror films to substitute Christian or Buddhist themes for Muslim beliefs.
Luna Maya Sugeng is an Indonesian model, actress and presenter of Austrian descent. She started her career as an advertising and catwalk model.
In Indonesian mythology, a sundel bolong, is a mythical ghost from the archipelago which is a woman with beautiful long black hair and a long white dress. The myth is closely linked to prostitutes, meaning a "prostitute with a hole in her", in reference to the large hole which is said to appear in her back.
Sundel Bolong or Sundelbolong is a 1981 Indonesian cult horror film directed by Sisworo Gautama Putra. The film is about the Javanese mythical prostitute ghost Sundel Bolong and stars Suzzanna. A sequel to the film was made in 1984, Telaga Angker. A remake titled Suzzanna: Bernapas dalam Kubur, directed by Rocky Soraya and Anggy Umbara, was released on November 15, 2018.
Nasrul Suhaimin bin Saifuddin, known professionally as Bront Palarae, is a Malaysian actor, film director, screenwriter and producer.
Susanna or Suzanna is a feminine first name, of Egyptian and Persian origin. It is the name of women in the Biblical books of Daniel and Luke. It is often spelled Susannah, although Susanna is the original spelling. It is derived from the Egyptian shoshen, meaning "Iris flower".
Sandiwara is a genre of traditional theatrical drama of Indonesia. In general, it refers to any kind of drama or theatrical performances, and literally sandiwara means "to pretend" or "to act". However, the term is often used to describe a genre of traditional drama of West Java. Sandiwara Sunda is a type of sandiwara performed in Sundanese and presenting Sundanese themes, folklores and stories. It is quite similar to Javanese ketoprak or wayang orang.
Satan's Slaves is a 2017 Indonesian horror film written and directed by Joko Anwar. It is a loose remake-prequel to the 1980 film of the same name directed by Sisworo Gautama Putra based on a story by Subagio S. The plot follows a family who are haunted by the death of their mother, who dies after being bedridden for three years from a strange and debilitating illness.
Folklore is a television horror anthology series that premiered on HBO Asia on October 7, 2018. On December 1, 2020, it was renewed for a second season.
Tara Basro is an Indonesian actress and musician.
Ali Shahab was an Indonesian film director, screenwriter, journalist, and novelist. Before entering the world of film, Ali was active as a journalist in a number of mass media, one of whom had become the editor in chief of Indonesia Jaya. He has also been a caricature maker, active in the theater, and a novelist. There are at least 20 works of books, including several novels, which have been published from 1969 to 2006. In addition, in the world of cinema, Ali has recorded at least 14 film titles and more than 8 television series and soap operas as directors. As a screenwriter, he is involved in at least 17 films.
Impetigore is a 2019 horror film written and directed by Joko Anwar. The film stars Tara Basro, Marissa Anita, Christine Hakim, Asmara Abigail, and Ario Bayu. The film follows Maya (Basro), who travels with her friend Dini (Anita) to her remote ancestral village seeking an inheritance.
Folk horror is a subgenre of horror film and horror fiction that uses elements of folklore to invoke fear and foreboding. Typical elements include a rural setting, isolation, and themes of superstition, folk religion, paganism, sacrifice and the dark aspects of nature. Although related to supernatural horror film, folk horror usually focuses on the beliefs and actions of people rather than the supernatural, and often deals with naïve outsiders coming up against these. The British films Blood on Satan's Claw (1971), The Wicker Man (1973) and Witchfinder General (1968) are regarded as pioneers of the genre, while the 2019 film Midsommar sparked renewed interest in folk horror. Southeast Asian cinema also commonly features folk horror.
The Queen of Black Magic is a 2019 Indonesian supernatural horror film directed by Kimo Stamboel and written by Joko Anwar. The film is a loose remake of the 1981 Indonesian horror film of the same name also produced by Rapi Films. It stars Ario Bayu, Hannah Al Rashid, Adhisty Zara, Ade Firman Hakim, Muzakki Ramdhan, and Ari Irham. Hakim received a posthumous Citra Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the film.
Satan's Slaves 2: Communion also referred to as Satan's Slaves 2 is a 2022 Indonesian supernatural horror film written and directed by Joko Anwar. It is the sequel to the 2017 film Satan's Slaves, itself based on the 1980 film Satan's Slave. It is the first Indonesian film to be released in IMAX format. Upon its release, Anwar indicated plans for a possible third instalment in the series.
Alas Pati: Hutan Mati is a 2018 Indonesian horror film directed by Jose Poernomo and starring Nikita Willy, Jeff Smith, Steffi Zamora, Roy Sungkono, Naomi Paulinda, and Maura Inry Gabrielle. This film focuses on the theme of the "Forest of Death". It was released on May 24, 2018.
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