In an exciting development for international cinema, Indonesia and Kyrgyzstan have collaborated on their first film, titled “The Land of Jinn.” This supernatural horror feature, directed by Kevin Rahardjo of “Smothered” fame, was recently unveiled at the Tokyo Gap-Financing Market, marking a significant milestone in co-productions between the two nations.
Plot and Themes
The film follows a young Indonesian woman who embarks on a perilous journey to Kyrgyzstan in search of a mystical healer capable of saving her unborn child. Throughout her quest, she unwittingly intertwines her child’s fate with the jinn, supernatural beings that hauntingly traverse the region. Drawing from the legend of King Solomon, believed to have commanded these ethereal spirits, “The Land of Jinn” melds folklore with horror elements.
Creative Team and Production Insights
The screenplay was crafted by Makbul Mubarak, known for “Autobiography,” along with Tumpal Tampubolon, a contributor to “Crocodile Tears.” Director Rahardjo expressed that his fascination with the extremes people navigate for a ‘complete’ life inspired him to weave this theme into the horror genre.
The protagonist’s journey takes her through Kyrgyzstan’s striking, frozen mountains, which Rajhardjo emphasizes are instrumental to the narrative. “The landscape is more than a backdrop. It becomes part of her obsession, beautiful and unforgiving, and almost indifferent to human desire,” he remarked.
Production Details
Filming occurred in the picturesque Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan and Jakarta, Indonesia. The film will be presented in English, Indonesian, and Kyrgyz, and is currently in post-production, with a release slated for 2027.
The production team includes Yulia Evina Bhara and Amerta Kusuma from Jakarta-based KawanKawan Media, alongside Sultan Pirzhan and Elvira Sarieva of FreeMinds, with Maksat Bolotbek from Bairak Group representing the Kyrgyz side.
Cultural Connections
Bhara noted the shared cultural notion of fear, stating, “I think fear is universal, but ghosts are local.” She elaborated on the common experiences in both societies, where individuals coexist with hidden worlds, highlighted by the tradition of cautioning children against venturing outside after sunset. “In Indonesia, we have 17,000 islands and 17,000 ghosts. In Kyrgyzstan, the mountains and steppes have their own Jinns,” she said.
Future Collaborations
Bhara emphasized the complementary strengths of both industries, noting Kyrgyzstan’s auteur talent and stunning landscapes, alongside Indonesia’s established horror market, which boasts a strong local market share and a successful distribution model. “This project was an incredible start to what will hopefully be a long lasting creative collaboration between Indonesian and Kyrgyz filmmakers,” Sarieva remarked.
Also involved in the production is Nazira C. Noer, CEO and co-founder of Poplicist, a film marketing and publicity firm. Noer has previously worked with notable projects such as “Jumbo,” “Agak Laen,” and “Ghost in the Cell,” and currently serves in various strategic roles within the Indonesian film industry.
Looking Ahead
With the aim of securing additional partners to complete the film’s financing and establish distribution channels, the producers are exploring pre-sales and festival routes for 2027. Bhara also envisions the film serving as a model for successful co-productions across Asia.
Following “The Land of Jinn,” Rahardjo is set to embark on his next project, a creature feature set in a rural Indonesian village.
The Tokyo Gap-Financing Market occurs as part of TIFFCOM, the content market associated with the Tokyo International Film Festival.
