Ferdy Kuntoro Emerging Indonesian Film Maker
Talks to BALINALE
Ferdy K has only been involved in film making for a short period of
time but has already made his mark with his first feature "Blood and Milk". Produced with
a tiny budget and solid determination it was featured at this year's BALINALE.
Ferdy Kuntoro at the BALINALE Wrap Party and Audience Choice Awards.
BALINALE: Good morning Ferdy! Thank you for coming
to Bali to show us your film and to take the Q&A afterwards. Let's start by hearing a little about
Ferdy the person.
Ferdy K: I was born in December 31st 1979 in Jakarta, Indonesia. I graduated from Art
Institute of Colorado, USA majoring in Animation & Design. Currently, I'm working as Freelance
Assistant Film Director & Freelance Graphic Designer.
BALINALE: How did u get started in film
making?
Ferdy K: My film career began quite recently in 2007, when my
friends and I co-founded an independent film community in Jakarta, Indonesia called BReAK (BINTARO
MOVIe FREAKS). Two years later they co-produced "Blood & Milk."
In 2008, I worked as an assistant director on two feature films and three TV movies and continued to work on "Blood & Milk."
BALINALE: What motivates you to work with
moving images?
Ferdy K: I have always loved films. I like every kind of film. I'm a
film geek. The reason why I want to be a film maker is because I want to make my own film. I want
to be in control. I want to make every kind of film from romance to politics, historical drama,
action movies, musicals and crime stories. In other words, film brings me plenty of energy because
I love it so much. Film is my life!
I feel inspired by many films and film makers. I always love films which relate to human
relationships. I love films which motivate and inspire and tell stories of ordinary and
extraordinary lives.
BALINALE: Tell us something of the process
of creating "Blood & Milk"
Ferdy K: I started writing the script of "Blood & Milk" in January
2008. I co-produced the short film with a film community called BReAK (BINTARO MOVIe FREAKS). We
starts shooting the short film in April 2008 with 20 crew on board. We don't have a budget at that
time, so every cast and crew member worked for free!
We shot the film in 3 days. After we completed the shooting, we had to halt the movie for 8 months
because we don't have any money to do the post production processing (Film & Audio Editing,
Animation, Music Scoring, etc).
We submitted proposals to several film production companies to help us with this, but because we
don't have a film making reputation yet, nobody wanted to help us for free at that time.
In January 2009, I decided to buy an average computer laptop that cost around US$1000 to finish
the film. It took about six months to do everything from the film editing to music scoring and all
on that laptop!
On July 4th 2009, we finally had the "Blood & Milk" premiere and it was hailed as a very a
successful event. The premiere were attended by national media, film makers and a general
audience.
On October 2009, "Blood & Milk" was selected as the official selection for Balinale International
Film Festival.
We will continue promoting "Blood & Milk" to international film festival around the world until
July 2010.
Ferdy K conducting the Blood & Milk Q&A
at BALINALE 2009
BALINALE: What do you see as the role of young
Indonesian film makers?
Ferdy K: I think the future and prospect of the young Indonesian film
makers is very bright and promising. Every film made seems to raise the standards of the next. The
film makers become more competitive and creative. There are plenty of ways to promote their films
and careers; for instance, using free online marketing tools like Facebook and Twitter or by
submitting their films to international film festival like BALINALE.
If the young Indonesian film maker is willing to work hard and continue making great films,
somewhere along the way, people will start recognizing them.
‘After Blood & Milk screening, I felt like I had just removed
a big stone from my shoe. It was a success and fantastic
screening. What a relief ; )’, Ferdy K
More About Blood & Milk
“A Breakthrough Film – A Drama action-packed short flick
with fresh new theme, captioned both in live and animated shots. The very first ever
produced in Indonesia”
Total Duration: 21 Minutes
Synopsis:
Have you ever imagined that your husband actually is a professional hitman?
In a seemingly harmonious family routine, Ivan plays a darker side in his own world, as a
professional hitman. His day started roughly in the morning, where he have to eliminate
several targets. On the other side, Vina – his lovely wedded wife – has no idea about her
husband’s secret profession.
For a complete press release,
Click Here
The team will continue promoting "Blood & Milk" to international film festival around the
world until July 2010 when they plan to release the DVD.
Blood & Milk Trailer
BALINALE: What kind of movies do you find most appealing?
FerdyK: Well, my top 5 films are Pulp Fiction, Goodfellas, Godfather I, West
Side Story and Star Wars Episode IV
and I particularly enjoy the work of Quentin Tarantino, Martin Scorsese, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg
and Sergio Leone
BALINALE: What's next for FerdyK - Film Maker?
FerdyK: I will start shooting my next short film entitled "SEXY BEACH" on
November 10th 2009 in Bali. It's going to be shot entirely in black and white, and will be
100% French language. It's going to be beautiful and simple.
Sylviane Chabert will be the lead actress and Executive Producer of "Sexy Beach" and I will be the writer
and the film director. The total duration for this film is 9 Minutes. We are planning to release the movie
in early 2010 and we will submit the short film to international film festivals around the world in 2010.
Ferdy Kuntoro with Indonesian A-List Celebrities
Didi Petet and Jajang C Noer.
Ferdy Kuntoro with award-winning screenwriter, Salman Aristo
