Indonesian Action Star Iko Uwais Launches Production Company Uwais Pictures

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Action star Iko Uwais, known globally for his powerful and graceful performances in Gareth Evans’ movie The Raid: Redemption, as well as his roles in the Expendables and Skyline series, is now venturing into production and directing. Recently, he introduced his own Jakarta-based production company, Uwais Pictures. This week at Berlin’s European Film Market, talent agency Gersh is presenting the first two action projects produced by Uwais Pictures to international buyers. Both of these projects have been fully filmed and are almost completed.

Ever since making a stunning debut on the entertainment scene in the early 2010s with his already-masterful silat martial arts skills, Uwais has graced productions worldwide, featuring in films like Snake Eyes, Stuber, and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, as well as the Netflix series Wu Assassins. He not only starred in these projects but also took on the roles of lead fight choreographer and executive producer.

The initial lineup from Uwais Pictures includes two action films: “Temur,” marking the directorial debut of action star Uwais himself, and a recreation of Indonesia’s actual Mapenduma hostage crisis in 1996; and “Ikatan Darah,” another local-language action movie directed by Sidharta Tata. In “Ikatan Darah,” Livi Ciananta plays a former martial arts athlete compelled to confront a ruthless loan shark network due to her younger brother’s online gambling debts, which jeopardize their family’s security. The studio’s founder, Ryan Santoso, will oversee the company’s daily operations as CEO, while Uwais holds the position of chairman.

Prior to the upcoming Event Film Market, where several highly anticipated films will be showcased, The Hollywood Reporter reached out to Uwais and Santoso to explore their creative vision for their new production company and the current landscape of Indonesian action cinema.

What inspired you to set up Uwais Pictures, and what’s the opportunity you are targeting?

IKO UWAIS: It’s a long-cherished dream of mine coming true. When we take on an action movie project for another studio, even if the outcome is good, I often haven’t been completely content. That’s because there are usually restrictions or limitations imposed on us. There have been instances where I grappled with understanding the purpose and direction of the project. For over five years, Ryan and I have discussed setting up our own company, a place where we can create whatever we desire. Our aim is to produce intense action movies with our dedicated team, in our homeland, according to our unique style.

ROBERT SMITH: Our aim is to produce movies that will revolutionize the action genre within Indonesia, while also captivating global audiences by demonstrating that thrilling action films continue to emerge from Asia. Much like Iko and Gareth Evans did with “The Raid“, we intend to prove that something truly innovative is unfolding right here in Indonesia.

Regarding our business approach, do we initially aim to focus on the Indonesian movie theater market, considering any subsequent international sales as an added benefit? What strategy are we adopting for our movies in terms of placement and budget allocation?

Absolutely, you’ve got it right! Our approach is to prioritize the local box office, which for us includes Malaysia as well. This is because Malaysian and Indonesian audiences share similar tastes and our markets are tightly connected. Movies that perform well in Indonesia often succeed in Malaysia too. Our goal is to recover our investment and earn a profit in both countries initially. While international recognition is significant to us, it’s more about the prestige of having our work appreciated globally and making an impact on diverse audiences. Ultimately, we aspire to screen our films in cinemas worldwide, but we’re also discussing opportunities with streaming platforms.

What specific changes or tendencies in Indonesia’s movie industry led you to believe that now was the ideal moment for starting a new film production company?

As an ardent admirer of the dynamic film scene in Indonesia, I can’t help but notice the incredible growth it has witnessed recently. Last year alone, theatrical attendance surged by 10 percent and Indonesian films captured a staggering 65 percent of the box office share! We now have more active cinemas than ever before, with even more theaters springing up each year. The increasing audience’s insatiable appetite for locally produced content has made this an opportune moment to establish ourselves as a production house specializing in Indonesian action films. However, our biggest challenge lies in finding and retaining enough talented crew members, given that there seems to be a shortage of experienced professionals due to the surge in the number of Indonesian films being produced currently.

Could you share some insights about the initial pair of projects we find on your schedule, and explain how they embody your artistic ambition?

What intrigues me is that they are both action films from Indonesia, but they offer distinct perspectives. The first film we’re discussing is titled “Ikatan Darah“, which means “Blood Ties.” It’s helmed by Sidharta Tata, a director known for his work in action, horror, and television series within Indonesia. His unique style incorporates grand concepts and consistently delivers intelligent elements in his genre films. This movie carries a comic-book action vibe. One notable aspect is the presence of a female martial arts protagonist, which is relatively uncommon in Indonesian action cinema. Although we’re not revealing much about it yet, actress Livi Ciananta gives an outstanding performance that we believe will resonate strongly with audiences in Indonesia and beyond.

Another movie, titled “Timur“, marks my first directorial venture. Unlike my previous work, it’s an action film, but with a distinctly different atmosphere and mood. The story is inspired by a real-life military incident that occurred in Indonesia – the Mapendumayang hostage rescue operation of 1996. During this event, eleven scientific researchers, some of whom were Westerners, were seized as hostages [by the Free Papua Movement] in a remote, mountainous region of the country. Our current president was a special forces general during that time and led the operation to free the hostages. The film narrates this true tale. I also take on the role of a special forces operative in this production, which promises a raw and intense military action experience.

Santoso is thrilled to let the world witness Iko’s directorial prowess, having poured a significant part of himself into the film “Timur.” He believes it’s one of Iko’s finest acting performances, and interestingly enough, Iko was also the one behind the camera directing it.

UWAIS: Ryan’s just trying to kiss my ass now.

SANTOSO: (chuckles) He’s right; although both movies are Indonesian action films, they are uniquely distinct from each other. This diversity demonstrates the versatility of our production company, as well as the rich potential of our nation’s cinematic capabilities.

Are those two almost completed movies going to be the standard number of films you release each year?

Sure thing!

In terms of our action movie production schedule, we aim to release at least two per year, but we might produce up to five if feasible without overextending ourselves. However, anything more than that could put a strain on our resources. Our primary focus is delivering high-quality content, and the action genre tends to be costly compared to comedy, horror, or drama.

In addition to our own productions, we are actively pursuing co-productions with international partners. We’ve received intriguing proposals from production houses in Canada, the United States, India, and China. Currently, we have several promising co-production projects in development, one with a Chinese company and another with an Indian company. Fingers crossed that we can bring these collaborations to fruition in 2025!

What was it like stepping behind the camera to direct for the first time, Iko?

Frankly speaking, I must admit that directing proved to be a significant challenge for me. You see, there’s a stark contrast between acting and directing roles – one moment you’re immersed in the intricacies of production details and story elements as a director, and the next, you’re engrossed in the emotional and physical aspects as an actor. It was quite a struggle to transition from these two distinct realms. However, I’m genuinely content with the film we’ve created. We’re closing in on completion now, and it feels like my team has finally managed to bring our vision for this project to life.

“As I embarked on my first directorial journey, I couldn’t help but wonder if I should tap into the wealth of knowledge from an old friend, Gareth Evans. After all, we share a passion for gaming and filmmaking, so I thought it might be beneficial to seek his advice.”

In essence, Gareth is more like an older brother to me. We’re constantly in touch via WhatsApp. Before we began filming “Timur”, he even paid a visit to Indonesia and we spent time together, during which I shared my ideas for the project with him. His support was tremendous! When I announced the launch of my new company, his first reaction was to extend his congratulations. I’m really hoping that we’ll have another opportunity to collaborate in the future.

Were you referring to feeling limited on several past projects, specifically regarding the action sequences, or perhaps in some other aspects as well?

In a lighter tone, UWAIS clarifies that while his directorial debut might be anticipated for intense action, he didn’t imply he was previously restrained in this aspect. Instead, he emphasizes the importance of how actions align with emotions, a point he diligently addressed with Timur during their collaboration. Additionally, Uwaiss expresses his desire to convey the essence of martial arts in his films beyond mere combat. He believes that fighting serves as self-defense and embodies wisdom rather than being solely about brutality, highlighting its humanistic aspect as well.

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2025-02-13 14:26