Unveiling of 'Queen of Malacca' Cast at JAFF Market as Angga Dwimas Sasongko Presents High-Concept Action Vision

At JAFF Market 2025, Indonesian filmmaker Angga Dwimas Sasongko presented the first major public glimpse of his upcoming action-fantasy film Queen of Malacca (Ratu Malaka), showcasing its ensemble cast and providing an inside look at the projects creative development and world-building. The film was initially reported by Variety during the Cannes Film Market.

During a fast-paced onstage presentation, Sasongko introduced the main cast, revealing stylized character boards for Claresta Taufan, celebrated for her performance in Pangku, Faris Fadjar, Lutesha, Ganindra Bimo, Dion Wiyoko, Jihane Almira, and Wulan Guritno. Producer Kori Adyanning and veteran Hong Kong stunt coordinator Man Ching also joined the stage, receiving enthusiastic applause from the audience.

Sasongko described Queen of Malacca as a modern fantasy rooted in Southeast Asian culture, featuring its own mythology, languages, and cultural logic. This is not a period piece. Its contemporary. We created a fantasy world inspired by Southeast Asiaits philosophies, beliefs, writing, and heirlooms, he explained.

The films action sequences will blend traditional Indonesian silat with Hong Kong-style choreography. To achieve this, Sasongko paired Indonesian choreographer Reza Hilman with Man Ching and his Hong Kong team. Man Ching, who has extensive experience from Hong Kong to Hollywood including work with Jackie Chan, stated: I aim to create a new style, combining different people and characters to bring something fresh to this film.

Cast members highlighted the physical demands of their roles. Jihane Almira noted that the project allowed her to break from her usual elegant image: Its very different from how I present myself online. I finally get to explore another side of me. Dion Wiyoko, returning to action after 16 years, added: Training with Man Ching required full concentration so our bodies would be ready for shooting.

Faris Fadjar, who had previously appeared in Sasongkos Wiro Sableng as a child, remarked: This is a major opportunity to showcase myselfoutside anyone elses shadow. Sasongko emphasized that each actors action sequences were tailored to their individual physical abilities: Man Ching and Reza assessed each performers movement, so the audience will witness the fullest potential of every character.

The presentation concluded with a test reveala one-day camera and texture experiment, not featuring footage from the final film. Sasongko teased: If this is just 20%, imagine what the full movie will look like.

Produced by Sasongkos Visinema studio, Queen of Malacca is among his most ambitious projects, following titles such as Wiro Sableng, 13 Bombs, and Heartbreak Motel. After two years overseeing Visinemas corporate evolution and guiding the success of Jumbo, Indonesias top-grossing animated film, Sasongko returns to directing with this genre-spanning action-fantasy.

Author: Sophia Brooks