“Mothernet,” a drama about the growing relationship between humans and technology, is currently in production. Director Hou Wei Ding, whose films “Pinoy Sunday” and “Cities of Last Things” won multiple awards, is directing.
Set in near-future Indonesia, Mothernet is a poignant family drama that follows 16-year-old Rama as he navigates life after a tragic accident leaves his mother in a coma. With the help of an AI program, Rama and his father embark on a journey of reconnection and healing, according to the film’s synopsis.
Indonesian actors Dian Sastroardoyo (Netflix’s “Cigarette Girl”) and Ringo Agus Rahman (Falling in Love Like in the Movies) star in the film. Rising star Ali Fikri (24 Hours with Gaspar) also stars in the film.
“Mothernet” is being shot primarily on location in Indonesia, with its virtual scenes being shot in Singapore, at Refinery Media’s X3D Studio virtual production facility, which is believed to be the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia. Production is set to continue through the rest of the third quarter, with the full picture slated for delivery in 2025.
The film is produced by Indonesia’s BASE Entertainment, the company behind the critically and commercially successful “Impetigore” and the historical series “Cigarette Girl.” It is in collaboration with Beacon Film, a studio founded by actor Dian Sastroardoyo, and Singapore-based Refinery Media. The project is also produced by renowned Vietnamese producer Winnie Lau, through her new production banner JEM Productions. Lau is known for her work on Netflix’s 2022 drama series “Thai Cave Rescue” and the Joko Widodo-directed film “Impetigore.”
This movie [places an] “Focusing on love, life and real human connections in an age of ever-increasing digital relationships between people,” said Shanti Harmain, founder and co-CEO of BASE. “Mothernet is a project that is very close to our hearts. We hope this story will inspire and touch the hearts of many people, both in Indonesia and in other parts of the world.”
BASE is currently handling international rights for the films as it does not currently have any sales agents.
“[I] I loved the script because not only is it an exceptional cautionary tale about humans' connection to technology, but it also touches on the family dynamic that [I’m] “I have really gained good experience in this field,” said Malaysian director Ho, who is based in Taiwan. “People grieve in different ways. There are different ways to grieve. There is no right or wrong. The only wrong approach is to stay stuck in the past.”
His 2010 film “Pinoy Sunday,” about Filipino workers in Taipei, won Best New Director at the 47th Golden Horse Awards. His third feature film, “Cities of Last Things,” won the Platform Award at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival.
“This film represents a new era in Southeast Asian filmmaking,” said Karen Sia, founder of Refinery Media and X3D Studio. “By combining our strengths, we are committed to producing a film that sets new standards for the industry.”
