The Official Teaser Press Conference for Pabrik Gula at the MD Entertainment building on December 19, 2024, is an iconic moment. This event also marks a historic moment as the trio Awi Suryadi, Lele Laila, and SimpleMan create a major work once again. The teaser for Pabrik Gula represents a “next level” collaboration between Awi Suryadi and MD Pictures. So different in terms of cinematography and story, Erika Carlina was possessed after performing a steamy scene that was jokingly referred to as “comedy” on the set of Pabrik Gula.
Before entering the media Q&A session and Erika Carlina’s statement about being haunted by a demon after performing a steamy scene, let’s hear the responses from Manoj Punjabi (CEO of MD Entertainment and producer of the film Pabrik Gula), Awi Suryadi, and Lele Laila regarding this major film.
The Biggest Film of 2025 from MD Pictures, Manoj Punjabi Acknowledges that the Pabrik Gula Film Is a Complete Package
“We first researched the sugar factory and the formula here is quite different from the previous (films). You can feel it, this is very real. There are still many surprises from Pabrik Gula that will be announced soon. But for sure, this is one of the biggest films of 2025 from MD Pictures,” said Manoj Punjabi after the official teaser of Pabrik Gula was screened.
Awi Suryadi also said that after KKN di Desa Penari and Kisah Tanah Jawa Pocong Gundul, he feels that the film Pabrik Gula is an even bigger project. “So, when I received this story, it had been 3 or 4 years since I last worked with Lele and SimpleMan. From the beginning, we already knew that the shooting would be challenging. I’m quite sure you’ll be satisfied once you see the editing.”
One of Indonesia’s screenwriters whose works have produced some of the highest-grossing films, Lele Laila, admitted that this story is indeed different from others, and the research she conducted took longer than writing the script itself. “Because we know that sugar factories are something very close to us, we even counted how many hundreds of sugar factories there are in Java and Indonesia. We also took real stories that happened, which were rewritten by SimpleMan and me in the script,” she added.
Set in a sugar factory located in Java, this film features a ghost that is even bigger than Badarawuhi, named Dalboh.
“Dalboh is bigger and more terrifying than Badarawuhi. In fact, he is just a small part of this work,” replied Lele Laila.
Can’t you imagine? The sugar factory is most likely a ghostly kingdom, and Dalboh is just a small part of that kingdom. So, what will the Queen or King be like?
Q&A Session: From Erika Carlina Being Haunted by a Ghost to Awi Suryadi Collaborating with Comedians
How does Manoj Punjabi have great potential for the film Pabrik Gula?
Manoj Punjabi: “I want something big, and Lele’s research has gone far. We have something new at this film Pabrik Gula. My first reaction: this is very interesting. The concept is a sugar factory, it seems different from the MD story that has been made before.”
For Erika Carlina, was there any special request from the director regarding a particular scene?
Erika Carlina: “For this film, the challenge was quite surprising for me. We filmed at the actual sugar factory. There is a “comedy” scene of mine in that factory. After I shot that scene, I felt a ghost possessed me right away.”
For Awi Suryadi, what was the most challenging aspect during the shoot and where was the filming location for the movie Pabrik Gula?
Awi Suryadi: “This, after all, is a story about workers at a sugar factory—meaning I needed a location with an active factory. I finally went to 9 sugar factories, and I chose 2. The locals were even hesitant. It turns out the YouTubers are no longer brave enough to go to the location I chose. Perfect timing, Erika’s “comedy” scene was in that factory room. When we were about to shoot, the security guard prayed first before opening the room. The people there said that the MD crew was all crazy. There was also a strange incident: my 10-level scaffolding for installing the light collapsed. The bend looks like it was stepped on from above. Then, there were 5 people possessed. That’s what was felt during the shooting in Klaten.”
For Manoj Punjabi, the film Pabrik Gula is MD’s champion for Eid 2025. What makes Manoj Punjabi optimistic besides the reunion of SimpleMan, Awi, and others?
Manoj Punjabi: “Because it will definitely become a big film, not just a combination of Lele and others, but the story is very interesting, the formula is right. The complete package is in this film. In other words, in terms of horror and storytelling drama, it’s not just about scaring people. I am very confident in this solid story. They want to release it during Eid, but there hasn’t been an official announcement yet. After I saw the teaser, I noticed that Awi brought a different standard in terms of shots, quality, and DOP. I am very excited. Wait for the release date!”
For Manoj Punjabi, out of so many stories, why SimpleMan? Is it because it already had a viral appeal before?
Manoj Punjabi: “SimpleMan’s story is very interesting, the angle is captivating. This ghost (Dalboh) is real—SimpleMan researched it and presented it accurately. There are a few that are quite different, and I see this one as worthy of being made into a film. Well, there are hundreds of sugar mill incidents, and this one is the most fitting.”
For Arbani Yasiz, how many horror films have you played, and how enthusiastic are you, especially with Mas Awi and the MD team?
Arbani Yasiz: “This is my second horror film project. I’m very picky when it comes to horror projects. Coincidentally, when I was given this script and it was explained to me, I became interested. When I was told that the writer is Mba Lele, the director is Mas Awi, and it’s with MD, I became even more interested. This really has a very different treatment. The teaser is not even 10%, there are still many crazy shots that haven’t been released.”
For the comedians, how was the experience shooting at the sugar factory?
Benedictivity: “It was really enjoyable during the comedy scenes. We really enjoyed it a lot. Quite surprisingly, Mr. Awi actually allowed the comedy scene that we proposed.”
Sadana Agung: “The place is already horror, and we’re being asked to do comedy. So, it’s really challenging. There’s a thrill to it.”
Becoming a challenging film for Erika Carlina, she was undaunted in performing the “comedy” scene directly in the sugar factory. Not only that, the film Pabrik Gula is also touted to emerge as one of the biggest MD Pictures films of 2025 with the ghost Dalboh, who is scarier than Badarawuhi.
Curious? Wait for the next info!
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