Exclusive Christian Sugiono Prefers Horror Films Over Dramas

Christian Sugiono (Photo: Bambang E Ros, DI: Raga/VOI)

JAKARTA - Christian Sugiono is back in the latest horror film produced by Hitmakers Studio entitled Santet Segoro Pitu. On one occasion, Christian Sugiono told about the challenge of using Javanese in this film set in the 80s.

"If you look into Pak Sucipto's character, maybe for the 80s it's not too difficult. Because it might be more visual, wardrobe, set and so on. And there are also dialogue words that we rarely say or even say in the 80s. Well maybe like that, " Christian Sugiono's story to VOI.

"But the challenge that is more when using Javanese. Because indeed the story is Pak Sucipto and his family and also with other opponents playing a lot of dialogue in Javanese. So that's what we learn when we are reading," he continued.

Even so, Christian feels that playing in the film Santet Segoro Pitu provides him with a new perspective regarding the mystical world, especially about Santet, which until he admits that he believes in and does not.

"I? Believe it or not. Believe it because this is a film. In other words, this means that it was raised from a culture like that. I don't believe it because how people can do such a thing. That's really sadistic. Too sadistic and also what is something that, according to Sara, said that the perpetrator had been hit as a devil slave," Christian Sugiono told VOI.

Acting together with Sara Wijayanto, who is known as an indigo person, made Christian often listen to this witchcraft. But as an actor, Christian still refers to the story the director and writer wanted.

"When it's with Sarah, she tells a lot about her experiences. Maybe she should tell me about it herself," he said.

"But when it comes to witchcraft, yes, we have more discussions with fellow players and directors and acting coaches about what this witchcraft is and Bang Betz is also the writer. The story has come to the shooting location for one day at Klaten and yes, just talk casually, but actually, it's not really really going into witchcraft, how about it, no, really," continued Christian.

Christian ensured that the purpose of this film was not to teach witchcraft but rather to what bad effects would arise if someone used witchcraft just because of feelings of jealousy and disgust.

"So this film doesn't teach witchcraft, but instead this film illustrates that there is something called witchcraft. And the effect is like this. And also how do people do that. And also what results are obtained when people do the witchcraft. Where are the results, huh wins. It's like that, "explained Christian.

"What we think we need? In other words, there need to be victims of sacrifice, what do you need? So maybe because he is jealous and angry that is burned by the feeling of anger from the devil doing witchcraft, maybe he is satisfied for a moment but at that time there must be something to be paid for. Now in this film it can be seen that yes, this is actually not good," he said.

Film Santet Segoro Pitu bukan jadi film horor pertama Christian Sugiono. Ia mengaku kalau sebenarnya beberapa kali mendapa kali mendapat tawaran untuk bermain dalam genre drama, unfortunately harus ditolak karena adanya unsur dewasa yang tidak paik untuk ia mainkan.

"Yes, you can. Most of them are nowadays, if for example series are like that, especially yes, there are lots of offers for the series. But they are very mature. We know that the series that is currently broadcasting is usually the ones that are a bit hot, what kind of thing, and I don't think it's suitable. There, imageally. Because I also have some contrasts with advertising brands and so on, which can't be done with their work like that," he said.

But not only that, Christian feels comfortable to return to playing in horror films because of his production which is made with strong intentions and stories, even though he admits that he doesn't want to be too active in playing movies anymore.

Karena pengalaman dari film-film hitmaker sebelumnya membuat production-nya itu niat. Dalam artinan kita sebagai pemain dihargai. Shooting juga semua, crew juga dinilai, semuanya dihargai, semua dihargai. Jadi kita shooting lah nyaman. Kita shooting nyaman karena itu paling penting ya. Apalagi kita mau shooting film horror, dimana nggak semplekan drama, banyak selengkat energi, banyak harus menggunakan waktu untuk membuat satu adegan yang mungkin di bioskop hanya beberapa second onlyang itu bisa sehari. Dan set-nya sulit, kenangnya.

This experience made him always prioritize horror films over drama films. Moreover, Titi Kamal's husband is more likely to do business than to play movies. He only sets a target of one title per year.

Not because of the exclusive contract with Hitmakers, Tian admits that he is comfortable because the production house already knows what he wants.

"Hitmakers can meet all the needs earlier. So I believe that for example there are those who offer horror if there are from other production houses, maybe I will think once or twice," explained Christian Sugiono.

Even so, Christian also expressed his pride because he could be involved in the success of Indonesian horror films which often raised the issue of local mystical culture so that he could feel that the person watching the film was close to the story being raised.

"So it has become a cultural part that we are trying to talk about again. We pack it in the form of entertainment. Maybe later there will be drama films in the form. If this happens to be a horror film. And yes, this is a term as an entertainment product. Entertainment products where there are really cultures in it that happen if the audience knows," he said.

"So it will be easier for the audience to relate to the story, get into the story. Maybe if there are other films that combine culture in Indonesia, something the audience doesn't know yet, but because they watch the film, they know that it has a different mission again. If this is the culture that we have in the form of entertainment, "he concluded.