Southeast Asian films are experiencing unprecedented success on the international stage, breaking box office records and earning critical acclaim through innovative regional collaborations. Cross-border co-productions, including Indonesia's "On Your Lap" and the Malaysian-Indonesian venture "The Fox King," are expanding creative possibilities while fostering a more interconnected and cooperative film production environment across Asia.
"On Your Lap," known as "Pangku" in Indonesia, emerged as a major winner at this year's Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) Vision Awards competition, which recognizes emerging independent Asian filmmakers. The film celebrated its world premiere at BIFF and secured an impressive four out of 24 awards, determined by votes from both audiences and critics.
Directed by celebrated Indonesian actor Reza Rahadian in his directorial debut, the film follows a young woman played by Claresta Taufan who works as a kopi pangku waitress. In this job, women sit on men's laps while they drink coffee, and the protagonist hopes this work will help secure a better life for her family. The story portrays themes of strength and self-sacrifice during Indonesia's 1998 IMF economic crisis.
"Like Korea in the 1970s, this film tells the story of Indonesia in the 1990s in a similar period of rapid economic growth," explained Park Sung-ho, a BIFF programmer based in Cambodia. "If you look at international media, they're saying that Southeast Asian movies are the hottest right now. The Southeast Asian market is growing and growing the fastest."
The enthusiasm surrounding "On Your Lap" reflects a broader boom in Southeast Asian cinema. Last year marked a milestone for locally-produced films across the region, with movies shattering box office records according to The Guardian. The Thai tearjerker "How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies" grossed over 334 million baht ($9.1 million), becoming not only the biggest Thai film of the year but also dominating cinemas in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. Southeast Asian original cinema capitalized on the temporary absence of American blockbusters during the Hollywood strikes, screening the highest-grossing locally-made films of all time in Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia.
This year's BIFF served as a crucial platform for showcasing regional collaboration through its "A Window on Asian Cinema" section, which screened five features from Southeast Asian countries alongside four short films and two documentaries. This programming highlighted the region's thriving creative ecosystem and growing international appeal.
One notable standout was "The Fox King," a Malaysian-Indonesian co-production that held its Asian premiere at BIFF following a world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival's Centrepiece section. Directed by Malaysian filmmaker Woo Ming Jin, the film tells a coming-of-age story about fraternal twin brothers Ali (Idan Aedan) and Amir (Hadi Putra), who share a telepathic bond that transcends language barriers.
The story becomes complex when a beautiful but cruel English teacher, played by Indonesian icon Dian Sastrowardoyo, enters their school and lives, causing tension in the siblings' relationship. The brothers find comfort in shared activities like games, kite-flying competitions, and their own secret language. The psychic connection serves as a central theme of the film, one that director Woo, who is a twin himself, drew directly from personal experience.
"I wanted to depict the unique bond between twins," Woo explained, noting that while he lives in Japan and his brother lives in Canada, they remain very close. The film also represents a significant milestone for regional collaboration between Indonesia and Malaysia.
"We wanted to make a film that will break down national borders that are usually present, especially for Malaysian films. Even though Indonesian films travel to Malaysia, our films are not often seen in Indonesia. We hope that this film will change that and will be embraced by audiences of both countries and also beyond," Woo told Eksentrika magazine. "The Fox King" is scheduled to screen next at the Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival, running from November 6 to 23, further strengthening its reach across Asian cinema.
These artistic collaborations are increasingly supported by strategic partnerships, with South Korea emerging as a major financial force behind this regional shift. Since 2015, Korea has become one of the most influential investors in the Southeast Asian market, with entertainment giant CJ ENM leading the charge. The Korean entertainment powerhouse has cemented its role as a major player in the region's cinematic industries through strategic investments and partnerships.
In Vietnam, CJ ENM productions have consistently ranked among the top 10 box office hits for three consecutive years. In Indonesia, the company made a strong impression with its horror release "Satan's Slaves," which topped the local box office in 2017. In Thailand, CJ ENM expanded its footprint through strategic partnerships and local remakes of popular Korean content, further diversifying the region's film landscape.
CJ ENM's Southeast Asian branches have influenced not only local box office results but also the broader film industries in these countries, redefining the entire filmmaking process from initial planning and investment to marketing and promotion strategies. This comprehensive approach has helped revitalize the industry as a whole across multiple markets.
Singapore film critic Philip Cheah, editor of "When East Meets East," emphasized the importance of continued collaboration in the region. "Co-production in Asia is growing, but we need more cooperation in Asia as I believe the future of Asian Cinema depends on how much we work together," he said. This sentiment reflects the growing recognition that regional partnerships will be crucial for sustaining the current momentum in Southeast Asian cinema and ensuring its continued global success.
