Electrifying Southeast Asia’s action film industry, Welsh filmmaker Gareth Evans isn’t the only genius working behind the camera to create action packed entertainment for audiences. As the Jakarta Globe reports, the people over at South Jakarta-based Skylar Pictures are currently in the middle of their latest attempt at a blockbuster martial arts action picture titled Guardian.
The film is headlined by a cast that boasts a strong female action presence led by Indonesian actresses Dominique Diyose and Belinda Camesi, who play a mother on the run with her daughter as she trains her for the day they must fight for their lives against an evil mafia boss, whose wife also sets out seeking retribution after wrongfully serving ten years in prison for his crimes.
Canadian actress Sarah Carter, and actresses Kimmy Jayanti and Naomi Zaskia round out the cast along with Indonesian heartthrob Nino Fernandez, and from The Raid 2: Berandal, actor Tio Pakusadewo. Sarah Carter is also best known for her role in the hit television series, Falling Skies, and films such as the 2003 horror thriller, Final Destination 2, and Corey Yuen’s 2006 live action adaptation of the Temco/Team Ninja fighting game, Dead Or Alive.
Executive produced by Skylar Pictures President Sarjono Sutrisno, Guardian is reportedly the 19th film from writer and director/Skylar VP Helfi Kardit, in his first attempt at a blockbuster action picture. He tells the Jakarta Globe his motivation for a major action picture with an all-female line-up is backed by his appreciation for films such as those in the Bourne franchise, in addition to that of filmmakers like Michael Mann and the late Tony Scott. “I want to make an Indonesian movie that is appealing for both Indonesian and international viewers.” he says. “I wanted to make a movie like that, but with female characters,”. The production also boasts a budget of ten billion Rupiah, which equates to a million dollars in U.S. currency, the same budget for PT Merantau’s 2011/2012 film, The Raid: Redemption.
With nine cars reportedly destroyed in 25 days of filming, production is expected to get bigger, with heavy emphasis on car destriction and explosive gun battles, as well as its own share of hand-to-hand fisticuffs and kick-ass action sequences to boot. And the promotional teaser below is proof of exactly that.
Guardian is currently readying for film festival spots in Rotterdam and over at Sundance before its release next year in either April or May.
