KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 — The hit Indonesian romantic sci-fi film Sore: Istri dari Masa Depan has been selected to represent the country at the 98th Academy Awards next year.
The film, which drew over three million movie-goers to cinemas across Indonesia after its July 10 release, will also compete in the Best International Feature Film category at the Oscars.
Adding to the excitement, renowned Indonesian folk-rock band Barasuara even penned a special piano version of their hit song Terbuang Dalam Waktu for the film’s soundtrack.
Even better, the film is set to hit Malaysian cinemas on September 25, courtesy of local distributor Primeworks Studios.
Sore: Istri dari Masa Depan is adapted from a 2017 web series that tells the story of a young man living in Croatia who meets a woman named Sore, claiming to be his wife from the future, and helps him change his lifestyle and life views.
The film is directed by acclaimed Indonesian filmmaker Yandy Laurens and stars well-known actors such as Dion Wiyoko as Jonathan Riady, the main protagonist, and Sheila Dara as Sore.
They are joined by other actors including Goran Bogdan, Lara Nekic, Livio Badurina, Maya Hasan, and Mathias Muchus.
The film also marks the first collaboration between Indonesian production house Cerita Films and the Croatian film industry.
Yandy on the wheels
Sore: Istri dari Masa Depan is both written and directed by Laurens and it has become his best-selling work to date.
Yandy Laurens is known for his intimate and humanistic storytelling. — Picture courtesy of Primework Studios
Laurens has a reputation as a thoughtful and emotionally resonant filmmaker, known for his focus on intimate, humanistic storytelling. Sore: Istri dari Masa Depan marks the fourth feature film by the 36-year-old director.
Among his iconic works is the 2018 film Keluarga Cemara, adapted from a popular Indonesian TV series of the same name, which tells the story of a family who loses their fortune and must start anew in a different village.
Keluarga Cemara garnered over 1.7 million audiences and has won several awards including the Citra Awards for Best Feature Film at the 2019 Indonesia Film Festival (IFF).
Another one of his critically acclaimed films is the 2023 Falling in Love Like in Movies, which tells the story of a romantic screenwriter who reconnects with his high school sweetheart and tries to win her back.
The film has won a total of seven Citra Awards at the 2024 IFF including Best Feature Film, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay Writer.
Both Keluarga Cemara and Falling in Love Like in Movies are currently available to stream on Netflix.
Check out these trailers if you are curious to step into the cinematic world of Yandy Laurens:
