Latest news with #ErnestPrakasa
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Korea's Barunson E&A Unveils International Remake Deal With Indonesian Studio Imajinari
Korean studio Barunson E&A, which previously produced Bong Joon-ho's Oscar-winning Parasite, has unveiled an international partnership with Indonesian studio Imajinari, focused on remake rights. Under the deal, Barunson E&A will handle international remake rights for three of Imajinari's titles: hit horror-comedy Agak Laen, its upcoming sequel Agak Laen 2, and the dark comedy Tinggal Meninggal. More from Deadline Gold House Unveils This Year's A100 List Honoring Most Impactful Asian Pacific Leaders Taiwanese Drama 'The World Between Us: After the Flames' Sets Premiere Date On Prime Video Brillante Mendoza's Crime Drama 'Chameleon' Picked Up By SC Films International For Sales Launch In Cannes This deal marks Barunson E&A's expansion of its international business beyond co-production and international sales, to remake rights. Focusing most of these efforts on the Southeast Asian region over the last three years, Barunson E&A has already collaborated on several Indonesian titles, including action thriller 13 Bombs (produced by Visinema Pictures), horror film Respati (by Base Entertainment), and musical Rangga & Cinta (produced by Miles Films). Imajinari was founded in 2021 by comedian-director Ernest Prakasa and his manager Dipa Andika as part of Hahaha Corp, a talent agency that represents Indonesian comedians. 2024 title Agak Laen is Imajinari's biggest hit, notching 9.1 million admissions to become the most-watched Indonesian comedy of all time and the second highest local film by admissions overall. Based on a podcast series of the same name, the film follows a group of misfits who accidentally turn their not-so-scary haunted house into a viral sensation when a real ghost starts haunting it. The sequel, Agak Laen 2 is scheduled for release in Q4 2025. Imajinari will roll out Tinggal Meninggal in August, a dark comedy currently in post-production. The film follows Gema, a lonely man who starts telling small lies to get his coworkers' attention — until those lies snowball and gets even more complicated as he goes along. 'Our philosophy has always been about telling original stories in ways that surprise and engage the audience,' said Imajinari founder Ernest Prakasa. 'It's exciting to collaborate with Barunson E&A and see how our creativity can be reimagined through remakes around the world.' Yoonhee Choi, CEO of Barunson E&A, added: 'With Imajinari, we see a studio that excels at telling deeply relatable stories — about family, love, and human connection—but with fresh and entertaining perspectives. We're excited to introduce their unique IPs to global audiences and share creative voices that deserve wider recognition.' Best of Deadline 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery 2025 TV Cancellations: Photo Gallery 2025-26 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Tonys, Emmys, Oscars & More
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Indonesia's Imajinari Unveils Film Slate at Hong Kong FilMart (EXCLUSIVE)
Indonesian film production company Imajinari is expanding its footprint with an ambitious slate of upcoming projects following the breakout success of its comedy hit 'Agak Laen,' which accumulated 9.1 million cinema viewers to become the bestselling Indonesian comedy of all time. Founded in 2021 by Ernest Prakasa and Dipa Andika, Imajinari has set 'Tinggal Meninggal,' a dark comedy in post-production. The film, directed by Kristo Immanuel, will be followed by 'Agak Laen 2,' the sequel to their record-breaking comedy, with Muhadkly Acho returning as writer and director. More from Variety Indian Action Film 'Martin' Scores International Distribution Deals for Indywood at Hong Kong FilMart (EXCLUSIVE) Fan Bingbing-Starring 'Mother Bhumi' Brings Border Mysticism and Feminine Resilience to the Big Screen EFP's FilMart Hub Showcases European Works and Sales Companies to Asian Buyers 'Our philosophy is we want to make original stories, and we want to make sure everything is ready,' Andika told Variety at Hong Kong FilMart. 'We don't want to push it if it's not ready.' The company is also developing 'Operasi Pesta Pora' in partnership with Angin Segar Films for a 2026 release, with Edy Khemod directing and Rino Sardjono writing. Imajinari's commitment to original storytelling in a market dominated by sequels, remakes and horror films has paid dividends with critical acclaim. Their 2023 black-and-white romantic comedy 'Jatuh Cinta Seperti Di Film-Film' (international title: 'Falling in Love Like in Movies') made Indonesian film history at the country's Piala Citra awards, winning seven categories, including best movie, and sweeping all four acting awards. 'We try to offer something different to the audience,' said Prakasa, who serves as chief creative officer. 'The number one most important thing is it has to be very unique. It has to have a very authentic touch from the creator.' The company is also expanding its horizons by investing in external projects aligned with their values, including 'Sore' from Cerita Films, directed by Yandy Laurens; Miles Films' musical 'Rangga & Cinta,' helmed by veteran director Riri Riza; and 'Four Seasons in Java,' a drama directed by Kamila Andini for Forka Films. Prakasa is currently directing a Netflix original titled 'Lost in the Spotlight,' about an actor who loses his acting abilities after being blinded by stardom and fame. The comedy, which wrapped shooting in November, is expected to debut on the streaming platform in the fourth quarter of 2025. Since its founding, Imajinari has built a reputation for quality filmmaking while prioritizing humane working conditions for crews. 'We want to make sure that at least the crews working for us are working in a very comfortable, suitable, humane condition, because it's a huge issue in our country, working hours,' Prakasa explained. The company's first film, 'Ngeri-Ngeri Sedap' (international title: 'Missing Home'), directed by Bene Dion Rajagukguk, was Indonesia's official selection for the Oscars in 2023. Imajinari's strategy going forward includes exploring international markets through regional distribution in Southeast Asia and potentially pursuing remake rights for their original stories. Andika and Prakasa identified piracy and human resources as the biggest challenges facing Indonesian cinema, noting that the industry's growth has outpaced the development of new talent. 'We need more regeneration for the artists in the industry,' Prakasa said. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Oscars 2026: First Blind Predictions Including Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone, 'Wicked: For Good' and More What's Coming to Disney+ in March 2025
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Netflix Unveils Indonesian Originals Including Ernest Prakasa's ‘The Actor' & Zombie Film ‘The Elixir'
Continuing its run of slate launches globally, Netflix unveiled new Indonesian originals premiering on its platform this year. The streamer is working on its first collaboration with director and comedian Ernest Prakasa, titled The Actor (Lupa Daratan). The comedy-drama film is about an egocentric actor who is on the cusp of landing the lead role in a prestige biopic, but suddenly finds himself stripped of his acting abilities. The film stars Vino G. Bastian, Agus Kuncoro and Dea Panendra. More from Deadline Why Is Netflix Staying Silent On Karla Sofía Gascón? Karla Sofía Gascón Skipping Critics Choice, PGAs & Other L.A. Awards Events Amid Controversy; Appearance At Spain's Goya Awards In Play Man Convicted Of Murder And Rape In L.A. Deaths Of Model And Her Friend In 2021; Mistrial In Co-Defendant's Case - Update Netflix will also launch its first zombie film from Indonesia, The Elixir, from accomplished horror director Kimo Stamboel. Previously announced with the working title of Abadi Nan Jaya, the film tells the story of a potion that ends up triggering a zombie outbreak due to the ambition of a herbal medicine company's owner. The Elixir stars Donny Damara, Mikha Tambayong, Eva Celia, Dimas Anggara, Kiki Narendra and Marthino Lio. The Elixir joins Netflix's line-up of zombie-related works in Asia, including popular titles from South Korea like All of Us Are Dead, #Alive and Kingdom, as well as Japanese series Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead. Indonesia is a top-priority market for Netflix in the Southeast Asian region, although the domestic content head role is still vacant after veteran Rusli Eddy stepped down in October last year. Malobika Banerji, Netflix's Southeast Asian content head, is taking on his duties temporarily. Banerji also recently took on the portfolio of Thailand ex-content head Yongyoot Thongkongtoon, after Thongkongtoon stepped down from his role this week for personal reasons. Losmen Bu Broto: The Series, adapted from the 2021 film of the same name, tells the story of the Broto family who manages an inn in Yogyakarta. Feeling underappreciated, the youngest child faces a challenge as he tries to prove himself, only to fall for an older, married guest. The series stars Mathias Muchus, Maudy Koesnaedi, Baskara Mahendra and Wulan Guritno. Other titles from Netflix's Indonesia slate which have already been announced include rom-com The Most Beautiful Girl in the World (starring Reza Rahadian and Sheila Dara Aisha), Promised Hearts (Setetes Embun Cinta Niyala) and director Lucky Kuswandi's psychological drama film A Normal Woman. Ratu-Ratu Queens, a follow up to 2021 film Ali & Ratu Ratu Queens, will tell the story of four Indonesian immigrant women, each trying to build a new home in Queens, New York. The series stars Nirina Zubir, Asri Welas, Happy Salma and Tika Panggabean. Best of Deadline The 2025 Oscars: Everything We Know So Far About The Nominations, Ceremony, Date & Host 'Ginny & Georgia' Season 3: Everything We Know So Far 2025 TV Cancellations: Photo Gallery
