In an exciting development within the international film industry, Indonesia’s Mandela Pictures and the Korea-L.A.-based Desert Bloom Pictures have formed a strategic partnership to create a four-film development slate. Unveiled at the JAFF Market in Yogyakarta, this collaboration aims to strengthen ties between the Indonesian, Korean, and Hollywood markets, leveraging unique strengths from both production companies.
The Strategic Alliance
The partnership between Mandela Pictures and Desert Bloom Pictures is poised to bridge diverse markets. Mandela Pictures, led by the Samtani brothers—Manoj, Deepak, and Lavesh—has carved a significant presence in Southeast Asia’s largest theatrical market. Meanwhile, Desert Bloom Pictures, guided by executives Jennice Lee, Hugh Cha, and Park Hyoungjin, brings extensive experience with Korean box office hits like “Exhuma” and “Along With the Gods.” By combining their expertise, the two companies aim to produce content that resonates with both Asian and American audiences.
Diverse Slate of Films
The initial collaboration features a four-film slate. “Ugly Duckling” (working title) will be an Indonesia-Korea co-production, blending humor and drama to explore themes of image, identity, and reinvention in the social media era. Additionally, two Indonesia-set features will adapt U.S. or Korean intellectual properties, infusing them with local cultural elements. A Korean horror film, based on a title from Mandela’s new genre label BN13, is also in the works, focusing on Korean theatrical release and international genre markets.
Insights from Industry Leaders
Lavesh Samtani, COO of Mandela Pictures, emphasized the importance of establishing a robust slate rather than a one-time co-production. “Starting with ‘Ugly Duckling’ and a key horror title from our genre label, the goal is to grow Indonesian-rooted stories that feel at home in Jakarta, Seoul, and Los Angeles,” he shared.
Jennice Lee, CEO of Desert Bloom Pictures, remarked on the potential for market growth. “Indonesia is one of the most exciting growth markets in the region. By pairing Mandela’s IP and local insight with our Korean and Hollywood IPs and networks, we see the opportunity to build a long-term, cross-border studio ecosystem together,” she said.
Future Collaborations and Talent Exchange
The partnership includes a robust talent exchange initiative. Korean writers, directors, and creative executives will collaborate with Indonesian teams, fostering creativity and innovation in writers’ rooms and on set. This initiative aims to create opportunities for Indonesian talent to work on Korean and hybrid productions, enriching the creative landscape across both nations.
As these projects advance through development, further details on creative attachments, casting, and production timelines will be disclosed, setting the stage for a transformative collaboration in the global film industry.
