Debut director Mike Wiluan’s new film, Buffalo Boys, couldn’t have come at a better time given the current reception of Asian movies in the last several years. Samuel Goldwyn Films has especially taken notice with its acquisiton of the Asian revenge western last month, and now has an official trailer rolling out ahead of its January 11 release in North America.
Tapping into the film’s internarional appeal is actor Yoshi Sudarso of Power Rangers: Dino Charge fame. He’s joined by Java Heat star Ario Bayu in headlining a story of two brothers who return from exile many years later to avenge the death of their parents at the hands of evil Dutch colonials and their henchmen. Screenplay Films graced Indonesian screens over the summer as it shared the stage with a plethora of other hits amid the summer and early Fall film festival season, including New York Asian Film Festival, Fantasia Festival at Montreal and at the Asian World Film Festival in Los Angeles.
In 19th Century Java, a brutal massacre and the murder of Sultan Hamza by Captain Van Trach and his Dutch soldiers force Arana, Jamar and Suwo – the sultan’s brother and infant sons – to flee the country, bringing them halfway around the world to the American Wild West. After working the railroads and learning the cowboy way of life, Arana tells the boys it’s time to return to their homeland and avenge their father’s death. Back on Indonesian soil, the hunt for their father’s killer begins. Along the way, they meet some villagers including Kiona, the rebellious and beautiful headman’s daughter who Suwo falls for, and soon find out that the treacherous Van Trach still rules the area. Their presence puts the village in danger, quickly turning their quest for revenge into a fight for freedom. With the odds stacked against them, Arana, Jamar and Suwo use the skills they learned from the wilds of America to face Van Trach and his army in a showdown for justice.
Rounding out the cast are actress Pevita Pearce and actor Tio Pakusadewo, with Reinout Bussemaker, Daniel Adnan, Mikha Tambayong and El Manik.
