Exclusive! Angga Yunanda Shares the Excitement of Catatan Si Boy Filming

JAKARTA - Angga Yunanda acts as Boy in the reboot version of the film Catatan Si Boy. The film directed by Hanung Bramantyo is based on the previous version which was released in 1987.

When visiting the VOI office in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta on Monday, July 10, Angga revealed different and interesting things about the reboot version. The most basic difference from the reboot version is the choice of time setting. While the original was set in the 1980s, the reboot chooses the year 2023.

“The era in this reboot version is very different. We have a very Gen Z background, in 2023. Of course, the location settings are also nowadays' popular places,” said Angga Yunanda.

"The similarities may be from the side of the story, and the characters are still the same, what distinguishes is the setting of time and place," he continued.

Even though it's a reboot, Angga assures that this film can be enjoyed by all people with different experiences. For those who have watched it before, it can be nostalgic. Meanwhile, those who haven't will find something new from the legendary film work.

"For me personally (the interesting thing) is the story. For friends who have watched it, maybe it will be nostalgic. For Gen Z and Millennials like us, you will definitely find something fresh," said Angga.

The production process for the film Catatan Si Boy, which will be broadcast on August 17, is quite long. Angga said that he had received an offer from MD Pictures producer, Manoj Punjabi, in 2021.

"The story is actually quite long, starting from, if I'm not mistaken, early 2021. The first time I met Mr. Manoj for several projects, one of them mentioned this. And the Catatan Si Boy, which is one of the things I was very excited about for the first time, but was also nervous that I don't think I'm worth it. Because we all know that it's one of the most iconic films to date, so maybe one of the romance movies that everyone knows," he recalled.

Even though he wasn't born when the old film was shown, Angga said he already knew the story of Catatan Si Boy from his parents. "If we mention Boy, it is identical to Catatan Si Boy, for sure, and everyone will know, starting from the first time I mentioned it to Mom and Dad, they were immediately excited, not to mention everyone," he said.

Si Boy's popularity as a teenage icon in his time, said Angga, will be adjusted to the reboot film he is starring in. "I'm really sure that for us the young people, only a few who have watched the original. Hopefully, this remake/reboot can be something that will refresh Indonesian cinema," he explained.

"Who knows, with the existence of the Catatan Si Boy now, we can watch the old film, which in my opinion is a masterpiece and is really worth watching to this day," added Angga.

After receiving an offer to play Boy, Angga did his research by watching the Catatan Si Boy seriously.

"I actually rewatch it on TV before, but never seemed to really care, and after that meeting, I watched it. I've watched almost all of the films and I understand why Catatan Si Boy is so iconic and legendary because it's a masterpiece," said the actor who will turn 23 years old this year.

Since debuting in 2018 through the film Sajen, Angga has gained a lot of acting experience. The success of Dua Garis Biru, which he starred in, became a milestone for his acting to be widely known. Even though he had saved 13 titles in his filmography, Angga couldn't avoid feeling nervous when he accepted the offer to act as Boy.

"Obviously the journey was really long and at first it was really nervous even when the shooting process was over, the excitement didn't stop. Even up to this moment because until now we as players haven't watched what the film is like, so we're guessing until now, but hopefully the results will meet everyone's expectations, can unite all groups as well," he hoped.

Reboot, continued Angga, can be watched by everyone, even those who have never watched old films. "For young people, it can be something fresh, for older people it can be a film that makes us reunite with old friends," he said.

Desired Character

After the trailer was released, the audience was presented with a picture of modern-day Jakarta in the film "Catatan Si Boy". This film immediately shows a row of luxury cars and an unusual shooting location so that the impression of being expensive is immediately felt. Angga Yunanda also confirmed this.

"In my opinion, on the first day of shooting, it was really outside the zone that I usually encounter every day. Everything is really high-end and really luxurious, and that's what made me even more into the characters, the things around them and you can see that while watching, in my opinion, Boy's lifestyle is very cool, but still down to earth, still humble, and that's what I think is one of the interesting things, you can see it in the film," he said.

Angga also confirmed that the choice of location and everything in the film made the film look very special. In fact, Angga dreamed that the property car could become one of his collections.

"It's actually hard for me to choose because I think the newest car is really good, but I think the iconic car that was in the Boy's garage. I think that when I saw it in person, hmmm, it looks like it could be one of my collections. Because it's really good and if you look at it, you immediately remember the vibe of the past which was very interesting.

According to Angga, the film Catatan Si Boy is a complete package, because there is romance, family drama, friendship, and gang conflict. So it requires solid chemistry between players.

"So I think it's definitely quite difficult and requires cooperation with players who I think are really solid, but I'm lucky that here, we are really like a family, and one interesting fun fact, is other people here have been together for a long time. Like in a month reading, already know each other," he explained.

He hoped that when the film, Catatan Si Boy reboot, was shown, it would receive appreciation from the audience. So that the popularity of Si Boy can be continued.

"Hopefully this film can continue to be a sequel, that's one of what I'm actually waiting for. But again it really depends on the performance of the Catatan Si Boy on August 17," said Angga.

"Hopefully you guys can watch it not just once, not just twice, not only alone but together because this is one of the projects that I'm really waiting for and of course, I've actually prepared some planning for the future, but hopefully, many people will be happy and like it, and can rewatch it in the future," he hoped.

After Catatan Si Boy, Angga admitted that he wanted to get a new challenge. "Desired characters? If you say desired, I have a lot. There are lots of wishlists that someday I hope to work with Indonesian filmmakers, but I really want comedy now because I've never been in comedy (movie)," he explained.

According to him, biopic characters are one of the challenges. However, Angga is self-aware that he needs experience in acting before playing a character in a film.

"In my opinion, I don't know if I will be able in the near future because the experience definitely has to be on another level. So it's like one of my highest wishlists, but hopefully, in the future, it can be realized," he hoped.

Acting, for Angga, is like a second home. "With film, I fell in love at first sight. That's what makes me always try my best to be here, and learn with other great people in this industry. And I feel like I never stop learning what I get, the longer I learn, the more I feel "Wow, I'm still like this," which is a new experience that I think is interesting," he said.

Meeting new people and new challenges in every title, for Angga, is the answer to feeling bored with the job he is doing. "I'm the type of person who gets bored easily, so when I meet a work pattern like this, it makes me never get bored with the work I'm facing. And every day you can say, every project meets different people again and that makes me love the filming even more," said Angga firmly.

So who is his dream opponent? "There are so many. If I had to choose one, maybe the one I want is Mrs. Christine Hakim. I feel that she is very nurturing. Several times I have met her and chatted, even though not much, and I think if we play together, we can chat more. Also from the watched video, it is Reza Rahadian, I haven't had the chance to play together yet with him. I think I will really learn a lot from my mother," he concluded.