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Indonesian horror comedy Warga Rusun 609 adapts Thailand’s Buppah Rahtree

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources New plan
  • Rapi Films unveiled Warga Rusun 609, a horror comedy set among residents facing the threat of eviction and supernatural terror from a neighbor named Bunga.
  • The project reworks the 2003 Thai horror film Buppah Rahtree as a local reboot rather than a direct remake.
  • Writer Upi adapted the story’s themes of human relationships and an unsettled spirit to Indonesian culture and everyday social issues.

A crowded Indonesian apartment block becomes the setting for two fears in Warga Rusun 609: the possible loss of residents’ homes and a supernatural threat from their neighbor Bunga.

Rapi Films introduced the horror comedy with partners Sky Media, Legacy Pictures and Vortera Studios. Producer Sunil Samtani described the project as a local reboot of Thailand’s 2003 horror film Buppah Rahtree, updated after more than 20 years while retaining its comedy and characters’ core elements.

“Indeed, it has been quite a long time, 20 years ago. But we adapted it. Actually, this is not a remake, but a reboot to make it more current. We are keeping the comedy, and we are keeping all the characters,” Samtani said at a trailer and poster launch in Senayan.

Indeed, it has been quite a long time, 20 years ago. But we adapted it. Actually, this is not a remake, but a reboot to make it more current. We are keeping the comedy, and we are keeping all the characters.

— Sunil SamtaniThe producer explained how the Indonesian project differs from a direct remake of the Thai film.

Before production, Samtani asked screenwriter Upi to watch and study the original film. Upi then rebuilt the world of the apartment’s residents and reshaped its central relationship between humans and the supernatural for Indonesian culture.

“The point we took is that this is actually a story about the relationship between humans and a spirit who has not resolved her past. From there, we rebuilt everything, including the story and the characters, adapting them to Indonesian culture and the character of Indonesian people,” Upi said. She added that the film draws on current issues often discussed by residents in villages and apartment communities. Bunga, played by Ranty Maria, is a ghost who remains in the building while waiting faithfully for her lover.

The point we took is that this is actually a story about the relationship between humans and a spirit who has not resolved her past. From there, we rebuilt everything, including the story and the characters, adapting them to Indonesian culture and the character of Indonesian people.

— UpiThe screenwriter described the story’s supernatural theme and its localization for Indonesian audiences.
About this summary

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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