Korean media powerhouse Barunson E&A is making a significant move by investing in and managing the international sales for the forthcoming Indonesian horror film Sorop, produced by MD Pictures. The company is set to present this intriguing project at Busan’s Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) next week.
Sorop, the brainchild of the esteemed Indonesian filmmaker Upi, who previously directed the superhero action film Sri Asih, and the beloved romcom series My Stupid Boss, is written with input from prominent Twitter creator SimpleMan. This screenplay is inspired by a horror thread that went viral on the platform.
The plot centers on siblings Hanif and Isti, who return to their hometown after their uncle falls ill. Following his passing, their mourning takes a chilling turn as they experience unsettling occurrences, including the unexpected return of their uncle.
MD Pictures is on a roll, having produced Indonesia’s highest-grossing film to date, KKN Curse Of The Dancing Village, which also drew from a SimpleMan Twitter thread. Its prequel, Dancing Village: The Curse Begins, marked a milestone as the first Southeast Asian film shot with Imax-certified equipment, garnering a theatrical release in North America and achieving an impressive four million admissions in Indonesia earlier this year.
Last year’s standout horror flick Sewu Dino, directed by Kimo Stamboel and based on another SimpleMan creation, was the highest-grossing Indonesian film of 2023, attracting 4.89 million viewers.
Barunson E&A, renowned for its role in producing Bong Joon Ho’s Oscar-winning film Parasite, is expanding its portfolio to include a variety of non-Korean films. Among them is the Vietnamese horror-comedy Don’t Cry, Butterfly, which recently clinched the Grand Prize and the Most Innovative Feature Award at Venice Critics Week. The Seoul-based company has also invested in the Indonesian action film 13 Bombs, directed by Angga Sasongko, and actively managed sales and investments in the Indonesian horror film Respati.
MD Pictures’ CEO Manoj Punjabi expressed enthusiasm over the collaboration, stating, “We are thrilled to work with Barunson E&A, a company celebrated for its international achievements, to introduce Sorop to global audiences. This film offers a unique blend of local folklore and supernatural tension that we believe will resonate with viewers everywhere.”
Sylvie Kim, head of the international business unit at Barunson E&A, shared insights about the partnership: “In the past two years, we’ve recognized tremendous potential in Indonesian filmmakers, and we’re confident that their narratives will connect with global audiences. We’re eager to team up with MD Pictures, one of Indonesia’s most innovative and influential studios, and we see this as the beginning of a robust and enduring partnership.”