Indonesian TV Pilots in HOOQ Filmmakers Guild Finals
Jakarta. Two Indonesian television pilots, "Heaven and Hell" and "Aliansi," will compete against four other titles – all from Asia – in the finals of the HOOQ Filmmakers Guild.
All the pilot episodes will premiere on Thursday (22/03) on TV streaming service HOOQ.
Directed by Bobby Prabowo, "Heaven and Hell" is a crime drama inspired by mobsters in Eastern Indonesia.
The series' protagonist, Chris (Aufa Assagaf), is a college student who joins the mobsters to save his father from prison.
It stars new and familiar faces, including Salvita Decorte, Donny Alamsyah, Mike Lucock and Farishad Latjuba.
Bobby said he wants to make a series that can be enjoyed by viewers from all over the world.
"The story is set in Indonesia but it has potentials to cross boundaries. Viewers from other countries will get into this as well, hopefully," Bobby said at a press conference last Wednesday.
"Aliansi" is an offbeat comedy parodying the advertising industry. Written and directed by Muttaqiena Imaama, it tells the story of former creative director (Vedie Budiman) being involved in an alien-worshipping cult. His advertising skills come in handy when the cult enlists his help to gain more followers.
The other four titles in contention for the finals are Bollywood saire "Bhak" from India, Thai thriller "Suay" by Marcelo von Schvartz, Singaporean supernatural drama "Haunt Me" by Oman Dhas and Goh Ming Su and another Singaporean production, "How to Be a Good Girl" by Abundant Productions.
Final selection
The shortlisted titles in the finals were selected out over 500 entries. The six filmmakers received $30,000 each to make the pilots.
The overall winner will be produced as a full series.
The jury are director Mouly Surya and actor Nicholas Saputra from Indonesia, Erik Matti from the Philippines and Puttipong Sakolnakorn and Wasin Pokpong from Thailand.
"I like stories with strong, lively characters," Mouly said.
What happens to the rest?
Since HOOQ will only produce one series, what's going to happen to the losers?
HOOQ brand and communications head Allison Chew said they might actually produce more "if they get enough support from audience during the finals."
HOOQ targets viewers aged between 25 and 35 in Indonesia.
"We’ve committed ourselves to produce at least one of these pilots. If we don’t end up producing the others, the rights will go back to the filmmakers," Chew said.
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