Korean Studio Barunson E&A to Embrace Global Sales for Iconic Indonesian Filmmaker Joko Anwar

The partnership sees the Korean studio, Barunson E&A, which was instrumental in the success of the Oscar-winning movie "Parasite", enter an agreement with Joko Anwar's production company, Come and See Pictures. This deal, lasting two years, allows Barunson E&A to handle worldwide sales of Anwar's works.

The first initiative under this partnership is Anwar's latest work, a prison horror dubbed "Ghost in the Cell". It's about the thrilling plight of prison inmates and guards who are forced to ally against an unearthly threat. This movie is scheduled to make its sales premiere next month at the Toronto International Film Festival and then showcased at the Busan Asian Contents and Film Market. The upcoming slate also plans to present the film "sMothered."

This partnership also presents an opportunity for Barunson E&A to further expand its influence in Southeast Asia by leveraging Anwar's increasing reputation and fanbase in the horror and genre filmmaking space. The successful release of supernatural blockbusters like "Satan's Slaves", which outperformed in local box offices back in 2017 and gained viewers from over 40 international markets, demonstrates Anwar’s skill and popularity.

Anwar earned recognition on the international stage with the movie "Impetigore" that premiered at Sundance in 2019 and was nominated for the Oscars by Indonesia. After breaking ground in the superhero genre with "Gundala", Anwar's recent project with Amazon MGM, “The Siege at Thorn High”, debuted on Prime Video highlighting his entry into Hollywood.

The new partnership will take advantage of existing connections in Indonesia, thanks to Barunson E&A CEO, Yoonhee Choi, particularly from her time at CJ ENM where she collaborated on Anwar's past works. As such, Barunson E&A will be able to channel their deep understanding of the Indonesian market and cinematic vision in their collaborative efforts with Joko Anwar.

In 2020, Anwar and collaborator Tia Hasibuan founded the Come and See Pictures. The company now collaborates with Barunson E&A alongside other major Indonesian players, including Visinema Pictures, Base Entertainment, Miles Films, Rapi Films, and Imajinari.