GUNDALA comes to Digital, Blu-ray™ and DVD today, July 28, 2020

Well Go USA

Presents

Gundala

Written and Directed by Joko Anwar

Based on the comic by Harya Suraminata

Indonesia, 2019, 124 minutes

Gundala is a superhero origin film based on a popular Indonesian comic book first published in 1969. It debuts today, July 28th, on Digital, Blu-ray™ and DVD from Well Go USA Entertainment. This review is based on watching the Blu-ray version.

As a young boy, Sancaka (here played by Muzakki Ramdhan) is orphaned and forced to struggle to survive on the mean streets of Jakarta. He is saved from a beating by a gang of other youths by the somewhat older Awang, who proceeds to train him in the martial arts. Awang also advises Sancaka to not get involved in other people’s affairs and problems, warning him that if he does, his life “will be shitty.” Alas, the two are separated when Sancaka can’t get on the moving train on which Awang is leaving the city.

Years later, as a young man, Sancaka (now portrayed by Abimana Aryasatya) works at the printing house of The Djakarta Times. The political and economic scene is controlled by Haidas Subandi, the head of the underworld and, like Sancaka, an orphan. In flashback we learn how Subandi, better known as Pengkor, lost his family and fortune, and how he received the burn scar on the side of his face.

Seeing the effects of injustice and corruption on people he has come to care about, the adult Sancaka finds he cannot continue to embrace Awang’s advice, but must intervene on behalf of the downtrodden victims. Fortunately, as it turns out, he and lightening have an affinity for each other, and being struck by lightening gives Sancaka superpowers to fight evil.

There is plenty of action in this fine film. The dominant fighting style is Silat, a class of martial arts from the Indonesian archipelago that includes many styles and schools, which tend to focus on either strikes, joint manipulation, weaponry, or a some combination of them. Street fighting is also in evidence, as are some other Asian martial arts.

There’s a coda mid-way through the end credits that sets the stage for the next film in what is planned as an eight film franchise. (Think Marvel Universe, only in Indonesia.) Given what a fine beginning the series has in Gundala, one can only hope that the series continues to a satisfying point, even if all eight films are not made or distributed in North America..

Disc Specs:
— Audio:
  — Indonesian DTS-HDMA 5.1
  — Indonesian Stereo
  — English DTS-HDMA 5.1
  — English Stereo
— Subtitles:
  — English
  — Off
— Bonus:
  — Behind the Scenes
  — Production Vlog
  — International Trailer
  — U.S. Trailer
— Previews:
  — Train to Busan Presents: Peninsula Teaser
  — Cut Throat City
  — Enter the Fat Dragon

AsianCineFest Rating: 3 out of 4 stars; good film

New Superhero Franchise GUNDALA to debut on Digital, Blu-ray™ & DVD July 28, 2020

Well Go USA

Presents

Gundala

Written and Directed by Joko Anwar

Based on the comic by Harya Suraminata

Indonesia, 2019, 124 minutes

Indonesia's preeminent comic book superhero and his alter ego enter the cinematic universe to battle the wicked Pengkor and his diabolical squad of orphan assassins in the action-packed Gundala, debuting on Digital, Blu-ray™ and DVD July 28 from Well Go USA Entertainment.

Based on a popular comic book first published in 1969, Gundala is the first film in a proposed eight film franchise launching a new superhero cinematic universe (in the vein of Marvel). In this origins story, Sancaka (Abimana Aryasatya) is a security guard who was struck by lightning, giving him superhuman powers and turning him into the superhero Gundala. Gundala had its international premiere at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival and this release features an all-new English dub, in addition to its original subtitled soundtrack.

Synopsis:
Gundala is a poignant portrayal of the notion that heroes—whether everyday or superhuman—can be found anywhere (though a superpower never hurts). Indonesian orphan Sancaka spent his life on the streets trying to attract as little attention as possible, but when greed and violence reach a fever pitch in Jakarta, it soon becomes clear that he is the people’s only hope for peace.

THE GOLDEN CANE WARRIOR debuts today on Blu-ray™, DVD & Digital HD from Well Go USA

Well Go USA

presents

 The Golden Cane Warrior / Pendekar Tongkat Emas

Written and directed by Ifa Isfansya
Indonesia, 2014, 111 minutes

The Golden Cane Warrior is a very fine martial arts drama from Indonesia. It debuts today, Tuesday, November 3rd on Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital HD from Well Go USA Entertainment.

The film begins with a voice-over  describing the true use of a warriors skills. Not to be able to kill, but "to be able to defend the weak and powerless." In other words, the true warrior uses his -- or her -- skills to benefit mankind.

Merah Dara (Eva Celia Latjuba

The speaker, we soon learn, is Cempaka (Christinne Hakim, Eat Pray Love and Merantau). She is the elderly and highly respected woman who heads Golden Cane House. (Note that the "cane" is what would more commonly be described as a staff.) She has four students. Merah Dara (Eva Celia Latjuba, Jamila and the President) is the younger of two females. Day Gerhana (Tara Basro, Killers) is the older female. Kala Biru (Reza Rahadian, The Mirror Never Lies) is the oldest of the four, and he is regarded as the most able student. These three were the children of rivals Cempaka was forced to kill. The final student is Angin (Ariia Kusumah), a young boy who had been abandoned and who reminds Cempaka of her greatest sin, which is eventually revealed.

Feeling the approach of death, Cempaka announces her choice of a successor and takes this student away from the small compound to pass on the ultimate move, Golden Cane Encircles the Earth. She also takes along one of the other disciples.

Kala Biru (Reza Rahadian)

But the remaining two are not at all pleased by Cempaka's decision and both agree that one of them is them should receive the Golden Cane. They plot to kill their master, obtain the Golden Cane and blame the two for these dastardly deeds.

The two students who went with Cempaka must seek the knowledge of Naga Putih, who knows how to perform the Golden Cane Encircles the Earth move, overcome their own limitations, avenge their master's death, and regain possession of the Golden Cane.

Angin (Ariia Kusumah)

Thus, The Golden Cane Warrior is another revenge film that utilizes the "you killed my master" trope. But it is a very superior one, and not just because of the fine work by action director Xiong Xin Xin. More to the film's credit is Ishansya's fine script, which truly has heart.

Disc Specs:
Audio - Indonesian 5.1 DTS-HDMA or Stereo 2.0
Subtitles - English / Off
Extras - trailer fo the film and "previews of three other Well Go USA releases (Kung Fu Killer, Vengeance of an Assassin, and Muay Thai Warrior)

AsianCineFest Rating: 3.5 out of 4 stars; very highly recommended

THE GOLDEN CANE WARRIOR to debut on home video November 3rd

Well Go USA

presents

The Golden Cane Warrior / Pendekar Tongkat Emas

Written and directed by Ifa Isfansya
Indonesia, 2014, 111 minutes

The Hero’s Journey Begins On Blu-ray™, DVD & Digital HD November 3

Written and directed by Ifa Isfansya (The Dancer), the action-packed, Indonesian martial arts drama The Golden Cane Warrior will debut on Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital HD November 3rd from Well Go USA Entertainment.

In a tribute to the wu xia comics and novelettes popularized in Southeast Asia, The Golden Cane Warrior tells the story of two student fighters who, after their master is killed, set out to find the Golden Cane relic before it falls into the wrong hands.

The film stars Christine Hakim (Eat Pray Love, Merantau), Nicholas Saputra (What They Don’t Talk About Love), Reza Rahadian (The Mirror Never Lies), Tara Basro (Killers) and Eva Celia Latjuba (Jamila and the President).

Synopsis:

The well-respected Cempaka (Hakim) holder of the mighty and powerful Golden Cane relic weapon and its ultimate deadly moves, was expected to announce her succession to one of her most talented students. Murder and betrayal take over before the announcement is made public putting the Golden Cane in danger of falling into the wrong hands.

The only person who can help restore order is the long lost Naga Putih (The White Dragon), the last warrior who still possesses the ultimate moves of the Golden Cane. Two betrayed students, hurt and angry, must find the warrior before it’s too late.

KILLERS streets Tuesday, April 7th

 Killers

 Directed by the "Mo Brothers" (Kimo Stamboel and Timo Tjahjanto)

Indonesia/Japan, 2014, 138 minutes
Languages: Japanese, Indonesian, & English

Killers, a horror-thriller from the Mo Brothers (Macabre), debuts on Blu-ray™ and DVD this coming Tuesday, April 7th from Well Go USA Entertainment. This review is based on watching the Blu-ray version, the transfer of which is outstanding, as one has come to expect from Well Go USA.

There are two killers in the film, though they might more acutely be described as psychopathic & sadistic murderers. Nomura (Kazuki Kitamura, Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2) is a handsome young man who lives in Tokyo and who's into picking up lovely young things. After having sex with them, he tortures and brutally murders them, capturing this aberrant behavior on video which he then surreptitiously posts on the internet.

Nomura, right, and one of his victims

Bayu (Oka Antarra, The Raid 2) is a journalist in Jakarta whose career has floundered since he failed to properly document his accusations against the wealthy and powerful Mr. Dharma (Ray Sahetapy, The Raid: Redemption). He and his wife have separated, though he does get to sspend time with his daughter Elly. Bayu happens to come across one of Nomura's snuff videos and is fascinated by it.

Whereas Nomura is a "natural" torturer and murderer, Bayu only gets drawn into being one after he is the victim of a vicious attack.

After Bayu posts a video of his first kill, Nomura tracks him down on the internet and the two begin a long distance relationship (conveniently conducted in English so there's no language barrier).

Video journalist Bayu Aditya

While Nomura is merely a serial killer with his own sick rationale for his behavior, Bayu is more like a vigilante, seeking to punish only those who are guilty of societal transgressions. But his murderous activities make it hard for him to maintain a moral compass. So although one kills for "pleasure" and the other for "justice," the distinction between them becomes more and more narrow.

Torture porn is not my thing, and I'm not really familiar with the genre. I've never seen, for example, any of the Saw films. The closest I've come is recently watching David Cronenberg's Videodrome (1983), in which torture was a significant,m though not prime, element.

That being said, Killers strikes me as a fairly decent, well made entry in the field.  For me it was not an easy watch, at least as far as the torture scenes went, but I was impressed with it overall. Direction, editing, pacing, and acting were all quite solid.

Nomura and victim

The only extras are the film's trailer and some other Well Go USA preview trailers. The audio options are 5.1 DTS HDMA or 2.0 Stereo. The disc offers English subtitles that can be turned off.

My guess is that the re-watch value of Killers directly correlates to how much torture porn appeals to the individual viewer. For me, it'll be a long time, if ever, before I watch it again.  Still, it was a film I have no regrets about having seen. And I just loved the ironic, self-referencing final two words in the movie A great touch to go out on.

AsianCineFest Rating: 3 out of 4 stars; a good film, recommended with reservations about the subject matter.

KILLERS set to debut on home video April 7th from Well Go USA

Killers

 Directed by the "Mo Brothers" (Kimo Stamboel and Timo Tjahjanto)

Indonesia/Japan, 2014, 138 minutes

The Horror-Thriller from the Mo Brothers Debuts on Blu-ray™ & DVD April 7

Once you start, where do you stop? Killers the blood-spattered sophomore feature from the Mo Brothers (Macabre), debuts on Blu-ray™ and DVD April 7 from Well Go USA Entertainment. Produced by Gareth Evans (The Raid, The Raid 2), the horror-thriller features a psychopathic Japanese executive who accidentally triggers a journalist’s “dark side.” They begin to connect over the Internet and make a complicated bond.

The film stars Kazuki Kitamura (Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2), Oka Antara (The Raid 2), Rin Takanashi (Like Someone in Love), Luna Maya (My Blackberry Girlfriend) and Ray Sahetapy (The Raid).

Synopsis: A series of horrific murders just went viral, posted anonymously by the handsome and seductive Nomura (Kazuki Kitamura), a predator with a taste for torture. Thousands of miles away, disgraced journalist Bayu (Oka Antarra) can’t stop watching – and in a reckless moment discovers he, too, can kill. One man in Tokyo. One in Jakarta. A serial killer and a vigilante. As the posts multiply and the body count rises, a bizarre and psychotic rivalry begins – and the face-to-face showdown that’s coming will paint the city in blood.

KILLERS to open January 23rd, 2015

Well Go USA

Entertainment

presents

Killers

Directed by The Mo Brothers

Produced by Gareth Evans of The Raid films

Starring: Kazuki Kitamura, Oka Antara, Rin Takanashi, Epy Kusnandar

Indonesia/Japan, 137 minutes

Killers, the latest offering from The Mo Brothers (Kimo Stamboel and Timo Tjahjanto) will open in theaters and On Demand January 23, 2015

Synopsis: A series of horrific murders have just gone viral, posted anonymously by the handsome and seductive Nomura (Kazuki Kitamura) with a taste for torture. Thousands of miles away, disgraced journalist Bayu (Oka Antarra) can’t stop watching – and in a reckless moment discovers he, too, can kill. One man in Tokyo. One in Jakarta. A serial killer and a vigilante. As the posts multiply and the body count rises, a bizarre and psychotic rivalry begins – and the face-to-face showdown that’s coming will paint the city in blood.

Official Website: http://wellgousa.com/theatrical/killers

ACF 333: U.S. premiere of 'The Blind Pig Who Wants To Fly' in New York 07.17.09

Saturday, July 17th,2009

Rooftop Films and the International Film Festival of Rotterdam present:
The Blind Pig Who Wants to Fly

Written & directed by Edwin

Indonesia, 2008, 77 min

(film website)

A stunningly strange series of interweaving sketches that include aStevie Wonder-singing dentist, a woman who eats firecrackers, and apig, all investigations of alienation, politics, love and lust.

*US Premiere*
*Winner of the FIPRESCI Award for best film at IFFR 2009*

Venue: On the roof of the Old American Can Factory

Address: 232 3rd St. @ 3rd Ave. (Gowanus/ Park Slope, Brooklyn)

Directions: F/G to Carroll St. or M/R to Union Ave.

Rain: In the event of rain the show will be held indoors at the same location

8:00PM: Doors open

8:30PM: Sound Fix Records presents live music by Kelli Rudick

9:00PM: Film

10:30PM: Filmmaker Q & A

11:00PM–12:30AM: Reception in courtyard including free sangriacourtesy of Carlo Rossi sangria

Tickets: $9-$25 at the door or online here.