Indonesia : Hooq’s Original Production Marlina The Murderer in Four Acts, directed by filmmaker Mouly Surya, has been selected to represent Indonesia as its entry for the Academy Awards Best Foreign Language Film.
Premiering at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight 2017, Marlina The Murderer in Four Acts played at major film festivals globally including renowned Toronto International Film Festival’s Contemporary World Cinema, winning the Grand Prize at Tokyo Filmex and Best Actress at Sitges International Film Festival for its complex storytelling with a female protagonist set against the stark beauty of Sumbanese savanna.
Jennifer Batty, Chief Content Officer of HOOQ said, “We are thrilled and honoured that our very first Indonesian original production Marlina The Murderer in Four Acts is representing the creative community that HOOQ is working so hard to build across Asia on the world stage. The film has had a great run on international film circuit and has received overwhelming support From local viewers. The vote of confidence From Indonesian authorities is truly icing on the cake. It not only highlights the production quality of a HOOQ Original, but sets the stage for more industry support towards local originals. ”
Director Mouly Surya, commented, “Marlina The Murderer in Four Acts outdid my expectations in many ways and this selection to represent Indonesia in the Oscars is a great honour but most of all, an encouraging move for more Indonesian filmmakers to pursue uniquely local stories and genres going forward.”
Marlina depicts the story of a widow on her journey to look for justice after her husband dies and a band of robbers sexually assaults her. Distinctive in its treatment, critics have coined Marlina the world’s first “satay western”, an Indonesian take on classic spaghetti western with a feminist twist. This film written by Mouly Surya and Rama Adi is based on GarinNugroho’s story idea. A co-production between Cinesurya, Kaninga Pictures , Sasha & Co Production, Astro Shaw, HOOQ Originals and Purin Pictures, Marlina stars Marsha Timothy, DeaPanendra, Yoga Pratama and EgiFedly.
Viewers can watch Marlina The Murderer in Four Acts, along with other HOOQ Originals such as Brata, Critical Eleven, Danur 2 and Yowis Ben exclusively on HOOQ.
