Indonesian filmmaker Angga Dwimas Sasongko lit up JAFF Market 2025 with the first major public reveal of his new action-fantasy feature “Queen of Malacca” (“Ratu Malaka”), presenting an ensemble cast and giving audiences a candid look at the project’s creative evolution and world-building.
The project was first revealed by Variety at the Cannes Film Market.
At JAFF Market, Sasongko confirmed the film’s ensemble through a rapid-fire onstage presentation, revealing stylized character boards for lead Claresta Taufan, currently enjoying acclaim for “Pangku,” Faris Fadjar, Lutesha, Ganindra Bimo, Dion Wiyoko, Jihane Almira, and Wulan Guritno, along with producer Kori Adyanning and veteran Hong Kong stunt coordinator Chan Man Ching, whose arrival drew loud applause.
Sasongko positioned “Queen of Malacca” as a contemporary Southeast Asia-inspired fantasy world with its own mythology, languages and cultural logic. “This is not a period film. It’s modern, it’s contemporary. We built a fantasy world inspired by Southeast Asia — its belief systems, philosophy, even its writing and heirlooms,” he said.
He also outlined the film’s hybrid action language. “We’re combining silat, which is deeply rooted in Indonesian cinema, with influences from Hong Kong action films,” he said. To achieve that mix, he has paired rising Indonesian choreographer and actor Reza Hilman with Chan and his Hong Kong team.
Chan — described by Sasongko as someone who has worked “from Hong Kong to mainland China to Hollywood, including years with Jackie Chan” — told the audience: “I want to create a new style. I want to combine different people and different characters. Something new for this film.”
Cast members spoke about the physical intensity of the project. Jihane Almira said the role allowed her to break from her traditionally elegant public image: “It’s something very different from who I am on social media. I finally get the chance to channel another side of myself,” she said.
Dion Wiyoko, returning to action after 16 years, said: “Every day brought a new challenge. Training with Man Ching required total focus so that when we shoot, our bodies are already conditioned.”
Faris Fadjar, who appeared as a child actor in Sasongko’s “Wiro Sableng,” added: “It’s a big chance for me to show who I am — not in the shadow of anyone else.”
Sasongko emphasized that each performer’s action design was built around their individual physical vocabulary. “Man Ching and Reza assessed every actor’s physical capability and movement. What audiences will see is the best potential of each character,” he said.
To close the presentation, Sasongko screened a “test reveal” — a one-day camera and texture test featuring no footage that will appear in the final film. “If this is just 20%, imagine what the full film will look like,” he teased.
Sasongko heads Indonesian studio Visinema. After spending two years focused on leading Visinema’s corporate transformation and shepherding “Jumbo” — Indonesia’s most successful animated film to date — Sasongko is back in the director’s chair.
Produced by Visinema, “Queen of Malacca” marks one of Sasongko’s most ambitious genre undertakings, following “Wiro Sableng,” “13 Bombs” and “Heartbreak Motel.” JAFF Market 2025 served as the film’s most detailed public rollout yet.
Principal photography commences Dec. 3.
variety.com
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