Raam Soraya

Raam Soraya, a name that pops up a lot if you hang around Indonesian cinema circles, has a pretty wild filmography. The guy’s responsible for some of the most talked-about movies from the region, and honestly, you can't help but respect the range. Let’s start with Tenggelamnya Kapal Van der Wijck (2013). It’s a sweeping romance with a punch of tragedy—think forbidden love, class struggle, and all that juicy melodrama set against a backdrop that’ll make you want to book a flight to Indonesia ASAP. It’s got this poetic vibe, but it doesn’t shy away from real heartache or the ugly side of society’s expectations. People still talk about the emotional gut-punch of that ending. Now, if you jump back to 1989, Lady Terminator is just nuts in the best way. It’s one of those movies you have to see to believe—super campy, packed with wild action, and absolutely not worried about subtlety. But hey, that’s kind of its charm. It riffs off the original Terminator but flips everything on its head, mixing in Indonesian folklore with over-the-top violence and a villainess who is, frankly, iconic. Cult classic status? Absolutely deserved. Fast forward to Rumah Gurita (2014), and you’re in for a supernatural thriller ride. Haunted houses, creepy rituals, and enough jump scares to keep you up at night. It’s got that slick modern horror feel, but there’s also this deep, local twist that sets it apart from your average ghost story. Basically, Raam Soraya keeps things interesting—his movies aren’t afraid to go all-in, whether it’s with epic romance, 80s insanity, or straight-up horror.