Wiro Sableng (Vino G Bastian), Anggini (Sherina Munaf) and Bujang Gila (Fariz Alfarazi) in Wiro Sableng

Offering film screenings, a comics exhibition and discussions, A Weekend of Cult Comics and Fantasy Film from Indonesia, takes place at SOAS University of London this weekend, 16-17th March 2019.

The free exhibition, at the College Buildings in Russell Square over the weekend will showcase Indonesian popular genre comics from fantasy strips of colonial days to independent comics today.

The history of Indonesian comics is a blank spot in the world’s comic history. Once an industry that covered a continent-size archipelago with a strong tradition of graphic novels since 1950s, it’s now a cultish subculture kept alive by their independent predecessor of 2000s.

This exhibition runs for two days, 16-17th March 2019, until 5.00pm each day.

Film screenings include Jaka Sembung, the restored version and European premiere of 7 Manusia Harimau (7 Men-Tigers) to 2018’s Wiro Sableng.

Anggini (Sherina Munaf) in Wiro Sableng

There will also be discussions with Pete Tombs (Mondo Macabro DVD), Dr. Iain Robert Smith (King’s College London, expert on Remakesploitation), Bastian Meiresonne (director of Garuda Power), film and comic critic Hikmat Darmawan, Dr. Ben Murtagh (SOAS), and Dr.  Ekky Imanjaya (Binus University).

Open for public, free of charge, first come first served, this event is part of the Indonesia Market Focus at The London Book Fair 2019 and is

Events Line-Up

Indonesian Genre and Cult Comics, 1939-2019, A Mini Comics Exhibition

An exhibition showcasing Indonesian popular genre comics from fantasy strips in the colonial days to independent comics today.

16th – 17th March 2019, Russell Square: College Buildings, G3 (Saturday), BGLT Foyer (Sunday), 11.00 – 5.00pm

The Warrior & Fantasy Films from Indonesia with Pete Tombs

This film screening session presents the Mondo Macabro version of Jaka Sembung (The Warrior), a classic exploitation Indonesian film directed by Sisworo Gautama Putra in 1981.

16th March 2019, Russell Square: College Buildings, Djam Lecture Theatre, 12 noon until 2.00pm

Cult Texts: From Cult Comics to Cult Movies with Hikmat Darmawan, Ekky Imanjaya

This event will discuss the significance of the films and the comics and the adaptation process, as well as fan culture and the cult status of the media.

16th March 2019, Russell Square: College Buildings, Djam Lecture Theatre, 3.00- 4.30pm

Seven Men-Tigers & Blood, Guts, and Bad Acting

This film screening highlights the attempt of restoration of a cult film adapted from a cult book with a comic aesthetic sensibility.

16th March 2019, Russell Square: College Buildings, Djam Lecture Theatre, 5.00 – 8.00pm

Garuda Power: The Spirit Within and Gundala trailer with Bastian Meiresonne

This documentary underlines the history of Indonesian action films, starting from as early as Chinese-influenced martial arts movies (1930s), including the trend of super hero comic book adaptations of the 1970s.

17th March 2019, Brunei Gallery, Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre, 12 noon – 2.00pm

Documenting Fantasy in Indonesia with Pete Tombs, Bastian Meiresonne, Iain Robert Smith

A talk with the film practitioners on their works related to Indonesian cult movies adapted from comics and other books.

17th March 2019, Brunei Gallery, Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre, 3.00 – 5.00pm

Wiro Sableng

Film screening of Wiro Sableng, directed by Angga Sasongko and produced by Lala Timothy from Lifelike Pictures in 2018.

17th March 2019, Brunei Gallery, Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre, 5.00 – 8.00pm

• More details, schedule, etc: www.soas.ac.uk/cult-comics-and-fantasy-film-from-indonesia

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John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.

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Categories: downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events, Exhibitions, Film, Other Worlds

Tags: 7 Manusia Harimau, downthetubes News, Indonesian comics, Jaka Sembung, SOAS University of London, Wiro Sableng