Jakarta Arts Council: Horror Film Market Is The Most Stable

Cinema illustration. (Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels)

JAKARTA - In recent times, it seems that Indonesian cinema has been dominated by the presence of hot drama films, instead of horror films which have dominated in previous years.

You could say, not too many domestic horror films were released during a pandemic.

This then raises the question, whether the Indonesian audience has begun to shift in the broadcast genre.

Deputy Chair I of the Jakarta Arts Council (DKJ) and film observer, Hikmat Darmawan, told Antara, quoted on Saturday, January 8 that local horror films still have a place in the hearts of Indonesian people.

"In Indonesia itself, there seems to be an improvement in the production value to its aesthetics. There is a lot of increase in the market for this film. In fact, the market (horror films) is the most stable and no more niche (smaller segmented)", said Hikmat.

Another thing that Hikmat has highlighted is that many horror films that have been saved have finally been announced for immediate release, and have received considerable interest from film enthusiasts in the country.

"This year, films that are strong and stored are immediately released in theaters considering the conditions of the pandemic are starting to become conducive. For example, 'Pengabdi Setan 2', 'Keramat 2', to 'KKN di Desa Penari'.

"(These films are saved) It is assumed because the market is big. The opportunity is also big in Indonesia and tends to be strong. Even in terms of quality", he added.

Agree, the two figures behind the short film "Makmum" (2017) and the writers of the feature-length film adaptations of the same title, "Makmum" (2019) and "Makmum 2" (2021), Riza Pahlevi and Vidya Talisa Ariestya said horror films have their own place in Indonesia. Indonesian film world.

"Judging from the taste of the Indonesian audience, I think horror is still one of the things they are looking for. 'Makmum' can go this far. And this year there will be many sequels to Indonesian horror films that have appeared, which have been hidden for so long, are finally released now", said Riza when contacted by Antara.

"If it shifts, it doesn't seem like it. This year many horror films have been anticipated, and the enthusiasm has been from now on, even though only teasers and posters have been released. Indonesian horror films can be said to be eternal, (the market) tends to be stable. And from viewing experience to it's more exciting because it's usually watched together", said Vidya.