Merantau (2009)

[merantaufilms]

Introduction
"Merantau" is an Indonesian action drama feature due for release April 2009. Written and directed by award winning filmmaker Gareth Evans the film showcases Silat Harimau (with choreography from renowned master Edwel Datuk Rajo Gampo Alam and Team Silat Harimau). "Merantau" will also introduce to the world Indonesia's rising action star and Silat Tiga Berantai expert, Iko Uwais.

For the past 5 months Iko has been trained in Silat Harimau to perform the complex choreography designed for the film to be shot on location in both West Sumatra and Jakarta.

Production begins November 2008.

Synopsis:
In Minangkabau, West Sumatera, Yuda a skilled practitioner of Silat Harimau is in the final preparations to begin his “Merantau” a century’s old rites-of-passage to be carried out by the community’s young men that will see him leave the comforts of his idyllic farming village and make a name for himself in the bustling city of Jakarta.

After a series of setbacks leave Yuda homeless and uncertain about his new future, a chance encounter results in him defending the orphaned Astri from becoming the latest victim of a European human trafficking ring led by the wildly psychotic, Ratger and his right-hand man Luc.

With Ratger injured in the melee and seeking both his “merchandise” and bloody retribution, Yuda’s introduction to this bustling city is a baptism of fire as he is forced to go on the run with Astri and her younger brother Adit as all the pimps and gangsters that inhabit the night hound the streets chasing their every step. With escape seemingly beyond their grasp, Yuda has no choice but to face his attackers in an adrenaline charged, jaw-dropping finale.

Official Site - (site launch due October 1st 2008)
http://www.merantau-movie.com

[HartCone]

Woahhh!!
that's cool...

Salim...

[hidup]

Do you join in this film?

[merantaufilms]

I'm not sure I fully understand the question. If by join you mean becoming a part of the production as an artist, unfortunately we've already filled the main roles in the film and will be announcing the cast list in early October.

As a side-note, we have just confirmed that we will be producing 12 weekly video blogs on the whole production process covering the projects inception, the training of its lead and principal photography with interviews from cast and crew throughout. This will appear on the official website along with our YouTube, Vimeo Channels, Myspace page among others. Further details will be announced shortly.

[Taufan]

Good luck merantau films. Highly appreciate your effort to popularize traditional silat worldwide. Should you need any support, please don’t be hesitate to contact us in this forum. 
Looking forward for your silat film masterpiece.
With warm regards,
TP

[merantaufilms]

Thanks so much for all your kind words of support, the official site for Merantau has now gone live at: www.merantau-movie.com we are awaiting delivery of our first of many behind the scenes clips to be released every 10 days covering all aspects of the films production from its conception to the final day of shooting featuring interviews with cast and crew.

We have an eclectic cast with well known actors rubbing shoulders with relative newcomers featuring Iko Uwais, Sisca Jessica, Yusuf Aulia, Mads Koudal, Laurent "Lohan" Buson, Yayan Ruhian, Donny Alamsyah, Ratna Galih and renowned award winning actress Christine Hakim.

We've just completed our location recces in Jakarta and Sumatra with final preparations under way ready for the start of production on November 2nd.

[merantaufilms]

Just a small update to let you all know that the first behind the scenes video has now gone online. It can be found either at the official website for the film or at our YouTube and Vimeo Channels.

Merantau - Official Site
Official Myspace Page
YouTube
Vimeo

Next up will be a video on the choreography, hopefully uploaded sometime this weekend. We hope you enjoy these videos as a small insight into the project.

[f4iz]

Wow, I'm really excited about this movie. 
Can't wait to see Uko Uwais (3 Berantai), Pak Yayan Ruhian (Silek Harimau) and all other Silat practitioners star in the big screen.
I hope production goes well and the movie is well received. Hope it showcases Silat techniques.
I remember reading about the movie Shaolin Temple(Jet Li's first movie).
Initially the producers hired actors to play the roles. They thought that they could teach the actors Wushu for the movie. Later they changed their mind and hired Wushu athletes intead and teach them acting. That turned out great. Now Shaolin Temple is a classic.

Regards,
Faiz

[duyungson]

I have seen the 1st video blog, and heard that the director once made a documentary film about Pencak Silat..
Can you please be kind to upload it on youtube, I really curious on what some foreign director would thought of Pencak Silat..
Thanks..

[Tenji_no_Ichi]

Nice & cool enuf...

But i wish, if the techniques which showed within the movie can explore the true pencak silat. not influenced by imported techniques.

 

[merantaufilms]

Thanks for all your kind words about the project, we really appreciate the support we're getting.

To answer a few questions/comments, regarding the fighting techniques we aimed to show Pencak Silat in as true a form as possible while still maintaining a realism to the fight sequences. So while Iko Uwais will fight entirely using Silat Harimau most of his opponents rely on a more brawling, streetfight style which serves to highlight Harimau much more.

There are moments also in the film where we feature a jurus with the kerambik, a duel with a master, and a one-on-one fight with two equally skilled Harimau fighters to showcase silat in a more pure form. But we didn't want to just show silat vs. silat, we also wanted to incorporate different fighting styles for Yuda to overcome.

The documentary hasn't been released as yet and as we do not own the rights we can't release any clips from it online. Once it is made available however, we will let you know.

[Tenji_no_Ichi]

yea.... Cant wait...
Yup, i know what you mean. It can be silat vs. other martial art styles... 

[moemoe_zr]

wow.. to tell you the truth, I'm really excited to know that there will be a movie about pure silat... It's about time that silat is internationally known as a beautiful yet deadly art of self defense from Indonesia.
Well it's just my opinion mate, but I think it would be great if there are scenes where the fight is done in a very narrow room, in an open space, and on the ground (grappling n locking maybe)... I just want to show the audience that silat is very very adaptable to every kind of situation and places... just my 2 cents mate
Anyway, I wish you a very successful Silat movie, and I hope that your effort will inspire others (especially fellow Indonesians) to wake up and promote this gorgeous national treasure.

[Irwansyah]

Merantau udah keluar belom ya?

Makasih infonya...

[merantaufilms]

Apologies for taking so long to reply here, we're still deep in production on the film, we've been updating our website and video channels with production blogs and the film is expected to be released in cinemas throughout Indonesia April 30th.

For  moemoe_zr:
You'll be glad to know that we do indeed show Pencak Silat's low-ground level fighting techniques with a 1min 30s fight sequence that takes place in its entirety inside of an elevator - it's a scene that is sure to be one of many highlights in a film that will hopefully be one of many that start to explore the fascinating history, culture and beauty of Indonesia's martial art.