Asian Shadows has acquired international sales rights to Indonesian director Mouly Surya's upcoming neoclassical war film Perang Kota, which will serve as the closing night film of the 54th Rotterdam International Film Festival.

Set in Jakarta in 1946 during Indonesia's struggle for independence, the film tells the story of Issa (Chico Jericho), a former war hero turned violin teacher who plays havoc with his wealthy student. Together with Zier (Jerome Cunha), he becomes involved in the resistance movement. When Issa goes on an underground mission to assassinate a Dutch official, the situation becomes complicated as Hazel must not only carry out the mission but also follow Issa's wife Fatima (Ariel Tatum), who is a talented pianist who fights to protect his family.

"This City is a Battlefield" is a co-production of Indonesia, Singapore, the Netherlands, France, Norway, the Philippines, and Cambodia, produced by Cinesurya's Rama Adi and Fauzan Zidni, Starvision's Chand Parwez Servia, and Indonesia's Kaninga Pictures; with Singapore's Giraffe Pictures, Co-produced by Volya Films of the Netherlands, Shasha & Co. Production of France, DUOfilm AS of Norway, Epicmedia of the Philippines and Kongchak Pictures Ltd. of Cambodia.

Executive producers include Willawati, Mona Surya and Rieza Jusuf, with co-producers including Isabelle Glachant, Anthony Chen, Tan Si En, Denis Vaslin, Fleur Knopperts, Ingrid Lill Høgtun, Marie Fuglestein Lægreid, Linda Bolstad Strønen, Bianca Balbuena, Bradley Liew, Axel Hardiningrath and Loy T.

Periscoop Film has acquired theatrical distribution rights in the Netherlands and Benelux.

The film is Surya's fifth feature film and her first with Asian Shadows after "Malina" which premiered at the 2017 Directors' Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival and won 10 Citra Awards (Indonesian Oscars). Second cooperation. Her most recent film is the Netflix action thriller "Trigger Warning" starring Jessica Alba.

“It’s a pleasure to work with Asia Shadows again. Through our close collaboration on Marina in Four Acts, Asia Shadows has first-hand knowledge of my voice and how to carry that voice further, "Surya said.

“We are proud to continue working with Mouly Surya and the Cinesurya team to bring Perang Jota to the attention of an international audience. Once again, we are inspired by Mouly Surya’s exploration of the meaning of identity, the value of freedom and the power of independence, challenging gender and heroic Stunned by style and vision in terms of stereotypes In the age of war we live in, Mouly. Surya) breaks the rules of the genre and reinvents it by digging into the past to understand the present, so that identity and dignity are only shaped by what one stands for and what one fights for. We are happy to be at her side again. ,” added Maria A. Ruggieri, Head of Sales and Acquisitions at Asian Shadows.

The Rotterdam International Film Festival runs from January 30 to February 9.