Blue Finch Films acquires Indonesian horror film “The Draft!” for worldwide release.
U.K.-based sales and distribution company Blue Finch Films has secured the worldwide rights to “The Draft!,” an Indonesian horror film directed by Yusron Fuadi. The film is set to make its international debut at Austin’s Fantastic Fest, one of the leading genre film festivals in the world.
“The Draft!” follows the story of five college students who retreat to a remote villa for a weekend getaway, only to encounter a powerful and malevolent force. The movie is described as a fresh take on the classic cabin-in-the-woods horror trope, with Fuadi aiming to subvert familiar genre expectations. The script was co-written by Fuadi along with Anindita Suryarasmi, Richard Hames Halstead, and B.W. Purba Negara. Munandar Aji and Fani Pramuditya produced the film.
According to Variety Exclusive, Fuadi expressed his deep passion for the project, calling “The Draft!” his “love letter to horror, sci-fi, and fantasy film.” He noted that the movie embodies his “passion, anger, lust, protest, and obsession” for a genre that he feels is both underrated and overdone.
Mike Chapman of Blue Finch Films praised the film, calling it “a thoroughly imaginative and original entry to the horror genre” and expressing confidence that it will captivate audiences worldwide.
Blue Finch Films has been building an impressive slate of international films, including Jean Luc Herbulot’s “Zero,” which was selected for the Sitges Film Festival, “Oddity,” which won the Midnighter Audience Award at SXSW 2024, and Adilkhan Yerzhanov’s thriller “Steppenwolf,” which was showcased at the Rotterdam International Film Festival.
Indonesia has a rich tradition of horror cinema, deeply rooted in its folklore and supernatural beliefs. In recent years, the country’s horror films have gained significant attention on the global stage. Notable examples include Joko Anwar’s “Impetigore,” which was Indonesia’s official entry for the Oscars’ international category in 2020, and Timo Tjahjanto’s “May the Devil Take You.” Earlier this year, Kimo Stamboel’s “Dancing Village: The Curse Begins” was picked up for North American distribution by Lionsgate. The film is a prequel to “KKN di Desa Penari,” Indonesia’s highest-grossing film of all time.
The acquisition of “The Draft!” by Blue Finch Films is a clear indication of the growing international interest in Indonesian horror, known for its unique blend of cultural elements and universal horror themes. With the film’s upcoming premiere at Fantastic Fest, “The Draft!” is poised to join the ranks of Indonesia’s most celebrated horror films, potentially opening new doors for Indonesian cinema on the global stage.