Indonesia’s director Joko Anwar directing new TV series for HBO Asia

One of Indonesia’s prominent film directors, Joko Anwar, is writing and directing Halfworlds, an 8-part original series for HBO Asia.

Halfworlds, a dark fantasy thriller “that takes places in a version of modern-day Jakarta that is populated by supernatural creatures”,  is the fourth series produced by HBO Asia, after Dead Mine (2012), Serangoon Road (2013) and Grace (2014).

Twitchfilm wrote:

Production is well underway and now we have our first look at the show, described as a dark thriller that “reveals a hidden universe in the alleys and backstreets of present day Jakarta where an underground society of demons known as the Demits have lived among us for centuries. As the series unfolds, this delicate balance is disrupted and will bring mortals and demits hurtling towards their destiny.”

Several big names are involved in this TV series, including newcomer Salvita Decorte, Arifin Putra (The Raid 2; Macabre), Reza Rahadian (Habibie & Ainun), Aimee Saras (Musical Onrop), Alex Abbad (The Raid 2), Ario Bayu (Soekarno; Serangoon Road), Adinia Wirasti (Tentang Dia; Laura & Marsha) and Hannah Al-Rashid (Ritual; V/H/S/2).

Halfworlds is expected to air by the end of the year.

UPDATE September 14 Check out its first trailers:

 

UPDATE September 19 Joko Anwar’s new film, A Copy of My Mind (Chiccho Jerikho and Tara Basro), is the only Southeast Asian Film to be selected for the 2015 Venice Film Festival:

A COPY OF MY MIND: Jakarta Jakarta Jakarta, in a heartbeat; “cine-tourism” is no vicarious escapism, it’s the realest life! #TIFF15

— Dzondunkellicht (@dzondunkellicht) September 19, 2015

UPDATE September 26 HBO Asia announces Halfworlds premieres on November 29!

Official: @HBOAsia Original @jokoanwar‘s #HALFWORLDS premieres on Nov 29! http://t.co/vEJTdGxaQY pic.twitter.com/gcpkwpPN8C — Budi Putra (@budip) September 26, 2015

 

Joko Anwar’s filmography

• Janji Joni a.k.a. “Joni’s Promise (English title) (2005) (writer/director)
• Arisan! (2003) (writer)
• Jakarta Undercover (2007) (writer)
• Kala (2007) (writer/director)
• Quickie Express (2007) (writer)
• Mereka Bilang, Saya Monyet! (cameo)
• Fiksi (2008) (writer)
• Pintu Terlarang a.k.a. Forbidden Door (English Title) (2009) (writer/director)
• Modus Anomali a.k.a Ritual (2012) (writer/director)