The twentieth edition of Fantastic Fest kicks off late next week and the line-up is already generating some exciting buzz. Adding to the mix is the late addition of Ikatan Darah (or Blood Bond) to the line-up following its announcement as one of two titles produced by Uwais Pictures, the production and sales banner shepherded by actor and action star Iko Uwais.
Ikatan Darah remains pending ahead of its own local release while its Fantastic Fest premiere is currently dated for September 18. Check out programmer Annick Manhert’s notes below along with a first look at the key art:
Mega, a talented martial artist, sees her fighting career come to a halt after an injury during a competition. While she’s sulking at home, a thug shows up demanding payment for a debt owed by her brother, Bilal. Mega discovers in shock that her brother has gambled away their home. Desperate to fix things, Bilal goes to see Henry—the man he owes money to. But things spiral out of control, and Bilal ends up doing the unthinkable.
Now, Henry’s brother—a deranged priest with a taste for violence—wants revenge. He unleashes his army of henchmen on the town, including a savage killer with a nose like a bloodhound. Bilal and Mega can only run for so long. Sooner or later, they’ll have to fight. And when that time comes, all bets are off.
Fantastic Fest wouldn’t be complete without a kick-ass revenge movie. IKATAN DARAH, the first action film produced by Iko Uwais’s company and directed by Fantastic Fest alumnus Sidharta Tata (RESPATI), is a full-on fight feast. The action is savage, the choreography razor-sharp, and the camera work bursts with energy—it’s the kind of movie that’ll have you jumping out of your seat.
Livi Ciananta Item is a force as Mega, holding her own against a relentless army of killers hunting her and her brother. Her face-punching, leg-kicking, blade-switching, and machete-swirling fury is absolutely addictive—you won’t be able to get enough. (ANNICK MAHNERT)