'Whispers of Fatimah' sets September release, first look
The indonesian virtualproduction horror feat "Bisikan Desa Gringsing: Whispers of Fatimah" has locked a September theatrical release and dropped its first-look video. Producers Mandela Pictures and Oceanus Media Global (OMG Studios) revealed the film opens in Indonesian cinemas on Sept. 24, marking one of the country's first horror movies shot on an LED volumetric stage.
Key Takeaways
- "Bisikan Desa Gringsing: Whispers of Fatimah" debuts in Indonesian cinemas on Sept. 24, with Malaysia, Singapore, Turkey and Azerbaijan to follow.
- The mystery horror is an Indonesia-Singapore-Malaysia co-production and among the first Indonesian horror features shot using virtual production and an LED volumetric stage.
- Directed by Ivander Tedjasukmana, the film stars Aghniny Haque as Hesti, a woman searching for her missing father amid a haunted village legend.
- Production was backed by Singapore's IMDA, Studios Film Office and Indonesia's Ministry of Culture, with OMG Studios' stage at Iskandar Malaysia Studios.
What is 'Whispers of Fatimah' about?
Mystery horror feature "Bisikan Desa Gringsing: Whispers of Fatimah" centers on Hesti, a young woman hunting for her missing father. She is drawn into the terror surrounding Fatimah's restless spirit, a presence said to have haunted the isolated village of Desa Gringsing for generations.
The newly released first-look clip introduces Hesti, played by Aghniny Haque, as she comes face to face for the first time with the spectral Fatimah, portrayed by Fatmah Nadhi. The ensemble cast also includes Surya Saputra, Kiki Narendra, Iskak Khivano, Hesti Putri, Nina Tamam, Iyang Darmawan, Akun Gege and Mian Tiara.
Why does virtual production matter for this film?
Directed and written by Ivander Tedjasukmana, the film is a three-territory co-production involving Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia. It is one of the first Indonesian horror features shot using virtual production technology, and to employ a LED volumetric stage.
Rather than location shoots or conventional green screens, the production used high-resolution LED walls displaying photorealistic digital environments in real time. That approach recreated the mist-heavy pathways and supernatural atmosphere of the cursed village of Desa Gringsing.
"It's an honor to be entrusted with a project utilizing virtual production technology," Tedjasukmana said. "Working on 'Bisikan Desa Gringsing' presented new challenges — not only for me, but also for the cast and nearly every department involved."
"Playing Hesti was my first experience working on a virtual production," Haque added. "On one hand, it was exciting because multiple locations could be created within a single stage. But it also demanded a completely different acting approach."
When and where will 'Whispers of Fatimah' be released?
With post-production now in its closing phase, "Bisikan Desa Gringsing" will open in Indonesian cinemas on Sept. 24. Releases in Malaysia, Singapore, Turkey and Azerbaijan will follow.
Producers are Manoj K. Samtani, Deepak M. Samtani, Lachman G. Samtani, Nick GC Tan, Chan Pui Yin and Yogi Arifiandy. The production was supported by Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority, Studios Film Office and Indonesia's Ministry of Culture.
OMG Studios' virtual production stage is housed at Iskandar Malaysia Studios in Johor, Malaysia, a Khazanah Nasional-backed facility. For more international film and series news, see our Streaming & TV Alerts coverage. Variety first reported the release date and first-look video.