Busan New Currents Title ‘Tale of the Land’ Unveils Trailer (EXCLUSIVE)

Indonesia 's KawanKawan Media has unveiled the trailer for " Tale of the Land ," the directorial debut of Loeloe Hendra, which has been selected for the New Currents competition at the 2024 Busan International Film Festival .

The film, set on the island of Borneo, is described as a coming-of-age journey inspired by indigenous communities grappling with land conflict, with elements of fantasy. "Tale of the Land" centers on May, a Dayak girl traumatized by her parents' death in a land conflict, leaving her unable to set foot on land. She lives with her grandfather in a floating house on a lake. Some 90% of the film is set on water.

Hendra said: "'Tale of the Land' presents a tale of the land. Personally, it is a combination of my childhood imagination and the current social reality of society in Kalimantan. From here I want to show that something has changed and shifted."

The film stars Shenina Cinnamon and Arswendy Bening Swara, both of whom have gained international attention for their recent performances. Cinnamon appeared in Yosep Anggi Noen's 2023 Busan title "24 Hours with Gaspar," while Swara won best actor at the 2022 Marrakech International Film Festival for Makbul Mubarak's "Autobiography." The actors are reuniting after playing lead roles in Garin Nugroho's "Badrun & Loundri." The cast also includes Indonesian actors Angga Yunanda and Yusuf Mahardika.

Producers Yulia Evina Bhara and Amerta Kusuma, known for films like Venice winner "Autobiography" and Cannes-winning "Tiger Stripes," faced unique production challenges. Bhara said: "'Tale of the Land' was filmed on an inland river delta that transforms dramatically during the rainy seasons, when the water reaches its peak flow. Our main homework was to find the best moment to shoot, that is when the water is at its highest debit."

The film is a co-production with the Philippines' Popple Pictures, with Armi Cacanindin on board as co-producer, and Taiwan's Aview Images, with Shee Heng Kuek and Alice You as co-producers.

Watch the trailer here: