Timo Tjahjanto

Timo Tjahjanto
Born
Timothy Tjahjanto

(1980-09-04) 4 September 1980 (age 44)
Wilhelmshaven, West Germany
CitizenshipIndonesia
Alma materSchool of Visual Arts, Australia
Occupations
  • Director
  • producer
  • writer
Years active2007–present
SpouseSigi Wimala (m. 2009)
Children2
AwardsMaya Award for Best Director (2018)

Timo Tjahjanto (Indonesian: [tʃahˈjanto]; born Timothy Tjahjanto; 4 September 1980) is an Indonesian film director, producer, and screenwriter known for his film works mostly on the horror and action genres.[1] Tjahjanto owns the film production company Merah Production.[2]

Apart from directing, producing, and writing story for his own films, Tjahjanto is also known as one half of The Mo Brothers with friend and fellow filmmaker Kimo Stamboel. The duo received a Citra Award nomination for Best Director in 2016 for Headshot while Tjahjanto himself won the Maya Award for Best Director in 2019 for May the Devil Take You.

Early life

[edit]

Timo received education at the School of Visual Arts in Australia, where he met future collaborator Kimo Stamboel.[3] He began his career in the film industry as a freelance story board artist and photographer. He has cited Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho and Tommy Lee Wallace's 1990 adaptation of Stephen King's It as his major influences.[3]

Career

[edit]

2007–2017: Career beginnings, The Mo Brothers and Citra Award nominee

[edit]
Main article: The Mo Brothers

Tjahjanto and Stamboel rose to fame for directing and writing their feature directorial debut Macabre (known as Rumah Dara in local market) in 2009. The film is based on their 2007 short film Dara, which was included in the 2008 anthology film Takut: Faces of Fear. It stars Julie Estelle, Shareefa Daanish, Ario Bayu, Aming, and Sigi Wimala.[4] Macabre received rave reviews and won several awards from international and local film festivals, with Daanish receiving praise for her performance as the titular character.[4] Tjahjanto and Stamboel appeared among the patrons of Herosase in Joko Anwar's The Forbidden Door.[5]

In 2012, he directed a segment in the anthology film The ABCs of Death alongside other filmmakers which included Nacho Vigalondo, Banjong Pisanthanakun, Ben Wheatley, Noboru Iguchi, Ti West, and Yoshihiro Nishimura.[6] The following year, he worked on 'Safe Haven', a segment included in the horror anthology film V/H/S/2 which premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival.[7] Tjahjanto co-directed and co-wrote the segment with Gareth Evans, director of the 2011 action hit The Raid.[7]

In 2014, Tjahjanto reunited with Stamboel as The Mo Brothers to direct, produce, and write Killers, a Japanese-Indonesian horror-thriller.[8] The film stars actors from both Japan and Indonesia, including Kazuki Kitamura, Oka Antara, Rin Takanashi, Luna Maya, Ray Sahetapy, Epy Kusnandar, and Tara Basro.[8] It premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival[9] and received positive reviews upon release with a 73% fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes.[10] The duo teamed up again in 2016 to release the action film Headshot with The Raid star Iko Uwais and Maya Award winning actress Chelsea Islan in leading roles with Sunny Pang, Julie Estelle, Zack Lee, Bront Palarae, and Ario Bayu in supporting roles.[11]

2018–present: Solo works, further recognition, Maya Award

[edit]

Taking a break from his works with Stamboel as The Mo Brothers, Tjahjanto explored the supernatural horror genre with May the Devil Take You in 2018.[12] This marks his first feature film as a solo director. Released to positive reviews,[13] the film saw him reunite with Chelsea Islan, Ray Sahetapy, and Shareefa Daanish. Later in the year, he released The Night Comes for Us based on a screenplay he wrote as an homage to Hong Kong 1980s cinema.[14] The film is the first Netflix original production from Indonesia[15] and received acclaim from critics with a 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes.[16] The film stars top action stars Joe Taslim (Fast & Furious 6, Star Trek Beyond) and Iko Uwais whom he worked with previously in Headshot. In supporting roles, he cast actors that have become frequent collaborators, such as Julie Estelle, Zack Lee, Sunny Pang, Abimana Aryasatya, Hannah Al Rashid, Shareefa Daanish, and Epy Kusnandar.[16] Citra Award winning actress Dian Sastrowardoyo also co-starred as an assassin tasked with hunting down the main character played by Taslim, marking her first venture in the action genre.

In February 2020, Tjahjanto released the sequel to May the Devil Take You, titled May the Devil Take You Too with Islan reprising her role as the main character.[17] The film was released in theatres and later on Disney+ Hotstar in Indonesia with Shudder taking on the American distribution rights. It received mixed reviews from critics.[18] The film earned Tjahjanto Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay nominations at the 2020 Maya Awards.[19][20][21]

Upcoming projects

[edit]

In September 2018, Tjahjanto hinted on Twitter that he is working on adapting the action-thriller comic book JITU: Joint Tactical Intelligence Unit into a feature film.[22] The project has not been officially confirmed despite Tjahjanto posting another teaser on Instagram in April 2019.[23]

Tjahjanto has also confirmed that he has co-written a screenplay for a spin-off film focusing on Julie Estelle's character from The Night Comes for Us, titled Night of the Operator, with friend and collaborator Aaron Stewart-Ahn.[24] While no official confirmation has been made, Tjahjanto and Stewart-Ahn teased a poster with Estelle's character in a red background on social media in January 2020.[25]

In February 2020, Tjahjanto posted on his Twitter account hinting at a sequel to the Mo Brothers' 2009 hit Macabre.[26] In a podcast with fellow Indonesian filmmaker Joko Anwar in April 2020, Tjahjanto shared that while the movie was a hit on the festival circuit, it was not as successful financially and that he and Stamboel will only do a sequel if they have a story that fits their ideals.[27]

Following the release of May the Devil Take You Too, Tjahjanto announced in October 2020 that a follow-up, titled May the Devil Take You: Dajjal, is in pre-production with Islan and Daanish hinting that they will be reprising their respective roles in response to the announcement.[28]

Tjahjanto was announced as director of a live-action adaptation of the Bumilangit Cinematic Universe film adaptation of comic book character Si Buta dari Gua Hantu in The Blind of the Phantom Cave: Angel's Eyes in 2018.[29] Production was set to begin in early 2020, but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[30] Iko Uwais is rumored to star in the lead role as the titular character.[31] It is part of the Bumilangit Cinematic Universe film for its Volume 1.[32]

In February 2021, Tjahjanto was announced to helm a remake of South Korean blockbuster hit Train to Busan with James Wan producing for New Line Cinema.[33] In November 2021, he was hired to direct the reboot of Under Siege for HBO Max.[34]

In July 2023, Tjahjanto was announced as the director for Netflix action film The Shadow Strays.[35] In June 2024, he was announced to be directing Nobody 2, the sequel to Nobody (2021).[36]

Personal life

[edit]

Tjahjanto married Citra Award nominated actress Sigi Wimala (who played a supporting role in his film Macabre) in an East Jakartan church in November 2009.[37] They have two daughters.[38]

Filmography

[edit]
Year Film
Director Writer Producer Notes
2012 The ABCs of Death Yes Yes No Segment: "L is for Libido"
Also editor
2013 V/H/S/2 Yes Yes No Segment: "Safe Haven"
Co-directed with Gareth Evans
2018 May the Devil Take You Yes Yes No
2018 The Night Comes for Us Yes Yes Yes
2019 Hit & Run No No Executive
2019 Portals Yes Yes No Segment: "Sarah"
2020 May the Devil Take You Too Yes Yes Yes
2021 V/H/S/94 Yes Yes No Segment: "The Subject"
2022 Perempuan Bergaun Merah No No Yes
2022 The Big 4 Yes Yes Yes
2024 The Shadow Strays Yes Yes No
2025 Nobody 2 Yes No No Post-production

As The Mo Brothers

[edit]
Year Film
Director Writer Producer Notes
2007 Dara Yes Yes Yes Short film
Also editor
2008 Takut: Faces of Fear Yes Yes Yes Segment: "Dara"
Also editor
2009 Macabre Yes Yes Yes
2014 Killers Yes Yes Yes
2016 Headshot Yes Yes No

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Work Result Notes
2007 Freak Show Horror Film Festival Audience Choice Award Dara Won as The Mo Brothers[39]
2007 New York City Horror Film Festival Audience Award Won
2009 Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival Best of Bucheon Macabre Nominated
2010 Jakarta International Film Festival Best Indonesian Film Won
2011 KasKus untuk Film Indonesia Best Film Won
2012 Chicago International Film Festival Gold Hugo The ABCs of Death Nominated shared with other directors in the anthology[39]
2013 Molins Film Festival Jury Prize V/H/S/2 Nominated
2013 SXSW Film Festival Audience Award Nominated
2013 Sitges Film Festival Grand Prize of European Fantasy Film in Silver Nominated
2016 Fantaspoa International Fantastic Film Festival Honorable Mention for International Film Killers Won as The Mo Brothers
L'Étrange Festival International Feature Film Headshot Won as The Mo Brothers
shared with They Call Me Jeeg
36th Citra Awards Best Director Nominated as The Mo Brothers[39]
2018 Sitges Film Festival Midnight X-Treme Award May the Devil Take You Won [39]
2019 8th Maya Awards Best Director Won
Indonesian Film in International Platform The Night Comes for Us Won Special Mention
2020 9th Maya Awards Best Feature Film May the Devil Take You Too Nominated
Best Director Nominated
Best Adapted Screenplay Nominated
2023 43rd Citra Awards Best Director The Big 4 Nominated [40]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Gareth Evans, Timo Tjahjanto and the New Indonesian Extreme". 5 December 2018.
  2. ^ "Merah Production". filmindonesia.or.id. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  3. ^ a b Media, Kompas Cyber. "Profil Timo Tjahjanto, Sutradara Film Sebelum Iblis Menjemput Halaman all". KOMPAS.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  4. ^ a b Stamboel, Kimo; Tjahjanto, Timo (2009-10-08), Macabre (Drama, Horror, Thriller), Shareefa Daanish, Julie Estelle, Ario Bayu, Sigi Wimala, Gorylah Pictures, Merah Production, Guerilla Visuals, retrieved 2021-01-22
  5. ^ "Timo Tjahjanto". IMDb. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  6. ^ The ABCs of Death (2012) - Christopher Smith, Angela Bettis, Gadi Harel, Hélène Cattet, Simon Rumley, Bruno Forzani, Kaare Andrews, Adrián García Bogliano, Jason Eisener, Ernesto Diaz Espinoza, Xavier Gens, Noboru Iguchi, Thomas Cappelen Malling, Jorge Michel Grau, Anders Morgenthaler, Yoshihiro Nishimura, Helene Cattet, Banjong Pisanthanakun, Tak Sakaguchi, Marcel Sarmiento, Adrian Garcia Bogliano, Jon Schnepp, Srdjan Spasojevic, Timo Tjahjanto, Andrew Traucki, Nacho Vigalondo, Joe Elliot, Ti West, Ben Wheatley, Adam Wingard, Yudai Yamaguchi, Lee Hardcastle, Simon Barrette, Simon Barrett | Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related | AllMovie, retrieved 2021-01-22
  7. ^ a b "Gareth Evans and Timo Tjahjanto Talk V/H/S/2, THE RAID 2, and More". Collider. 2013-06-16. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  8. ^ a b Stamboel, Kimo; Tjahjanto, Timo (2014-02-01), Killers (Action, Crime, Drama, Horror, Thriller), Kazuki Kitamura, Oka Antara, Rin Takanashi, Luna Maya, Guerilla Merah Films, Nikkatsu, XYZ Films, retrieved 2021-01-22
  9. ^ "'Killers' Tembus Sundance Film Festival". Republika Online (in Indonesian). 2014-01-09. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  10. ^ Killers (2015), retrieved 2021-01-22
  11. ^ Stamboel, Kimo; Tjahjanto, Timo (2016-12-08), Headshot (Action, Drama, Thriller), Iko Uwais, Chelsea Islan, Sunny Pang, Very Tri Yulisman, Infinite Frameworks Studios, Screenplay Infinite Films, retrieved 2021-01-22
  12. ^ Tjahjanto, Timo (2018-08-09), Sebelum Iblis Menjemput (Horror, Mystery, Thriller), Chelsea Islan, Pevita Pearce, Ray Sahetapy, Karina Suwandhi, Screenplay Production, Legacy Pictures, retrieved 2021-01-22
  13. ^ May the Devil Take You (Sebelum iblis menjemput) (2018), retrieved 2021-01-22
  14. ^ Media, Kompas Cyber. "Timo Tjahjanto Sebut The Night Comes for Us Terinspirasi dari Film Hong Kong Halaman all". KOMPAS.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  15. ^ Liputan6.com (2018-09-27). "The Night Comes for Us, Film Indonesia Pertama yang Dirilis Netflix secara Global". liputan6.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-01-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ a b The Night Comes For Us (2018), retrieved 2021-01-22
  17. ^ Tjahjanto, Timo (2020-02-27), Sebelum Iblis Menjemput: Ayat Dua (Horror, Mystery, Thriller), Chelsea Islan, Widika Sidmore, Baskara Mahendra, Hadijah Shahab, Frontier Pictures, Legacy Pictures, Rapi Films, retrieved 2021-01-22
  18. ^ May the Devil Take You: Chapter Two (2020), retrieved 2021-01-22
  19. ^ Piala Maya (2021-01-27). "Nominasi Film Panjang Terpilih 2020". Twitter. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  20. ^ Piala Maya (2021-01-25). "Nominasi Penyutradaan Terpilih 2020". Twitter. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  21. ^ Piala Maya (2021-01-24). "Nominasi Skenario Adaptasi Terpilih". Twitter. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  22. ^ Tjahjanto, Timo (2018-09-16). "JITU". Twitter. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  23. ^ "Timo Tjahjanto Kirim Sinyal Adaptasi JITU Segera Digarap". ERA.ID (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  24. ^ "The Night Comes For Us Spinoff Updates: Will Night Of The Operator Happen?". ScreenRant. 2021-01-05. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  25. ^ Daniel, Aditya. "Sekuel Beneran? Timo Tjahjanto Unggah Poster Night of The Operator!". Duniaku (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  26. ^ Ekonomi, Warta. "Sekuel Horor Rumah Dara Berpeluang Ditukangi Timo Tjahjanto, Seperti Apa Jadinya?". Warta Ekonomi (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  27. ^ Media, Kompas Cyber. "Vakum 5 Tahun Usai Rumah Dara Sukses, The Mo Brothers: Kami Terlalu Idealis Halaman all". KOMPAS.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  28. ^ Bogor, Isu (2020-10-22). "Timo Tjahjanto Umumkan Film Sebelum Iblis Menjemput Ayat 3: Dajjal Sudah Mulai Digarap - Isu Bogor". isubogor.pikiran-rakyat.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  29. ^ antaranews.com (2018-10-31). "Timo Tjahjanto akan buat film "Si Buta dari Gua Hantu"". Antara News. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  30. ^ Media, Kompas Cyber. "Timo Tjahjanto Belum Bisa Produksi Si Buta dari Gua Hantu karena Pandemi Corona". KOMPAS.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  31. ^ "Timo Tjahjanto Bocorkan Iko Uwais Sebagai Si Buta dari Goa Hantu". kumparan (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  32. ^ Tjahjanto, Timo, Si Buta dari Gua Hantu: Mata Malaikat (Action, Adventure, Drama), Bumilangit Studios, Screenplay Films, retrieved 2021-01-29
  33. ^ Indonesia, C. N. N. "Timo Tjahjanto Siap Jadi Sutradara Remake Film Train to Busan". hiburan (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-03-16.
  34. ^ Anthony D'Alessandro (November 17, 2021). "'Under Siege' Reboot In The Works At Warner Bros For HBO Max With Timo Tjahjanto Directing, Umair Aleem Writing". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  35. ^ Shackleton, Liz (July 20, 2023). "Netflix Orders Action Film 'The Shadow Strays' From Indonesia's Timo Tjahjanto". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  36. ^ Grobar, Matt (June 24, 2024). "Bob Odenkirk Returning For Nobody 2; Timo Tjahjanto To Direct For Universal, 87North". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  37. ^ "Sigi Wimala Dinikahi Sutradara Film di Gereja". detikhot (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  38. ^ "Sigi Wimala, Mantan Gadis Sampul yang Kini Jarang Nampak di Layar Kaca, Ternyata Tekun Jalani Olah Raga Ini loh - Semua Halaman - Grid.ID". www.grid.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  39. ^ a b c d "Timo Tjahjanto". IMDb. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  40. ^ "Daftar Lengkap Nominasi Piala Citra FFI 2023" [Complete list of 2023 Citra Awards Indonesian Film Festival nominations]. CNN Indonesia (in Indonesian). 14 October 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
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