Korean filmmaker Lee Hwan-kyung, director of “Miracle in Cell No. 7,” has assembled an Indonesian ensemble led by Vino G. Bastian, Pevita Pearce, Faradina Mufti and Indra Jegel for “Gasigogi,” a father-son drama now in production with Falcon Pictures.
The film follows Jiwa, a father who sacrifices everything in a fight to save Juna, his son, who has blood cancer. Bastian plays the lead, with Pearce as co-lead and Mufti as Chitra. Falcon Pictures unveiled the cast together with Hwantasy Entertainment.
Bastian starred in the Indonesian remake of “Miracle in Cell No. 7,” while Pearce is known for “5 cm” and Mufti for “Impetigore.” The supporting cast includes Altaaf Akavi (“Tunggu Aku Sukses Nanti”), Indro Warkop (“Miracle in Cell No. 7”), Dea Panendra (“Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts”), Sadana Agung (“Agak Laen”), Irma Novita Rihi (“Women From Rote Island”), Luisa Adreena (“Na Willa”), Pritt Timothy (“Ayah, Aku Mau Cerita”), Verdi Solaiman (“The Raid”) and Kiki Narendra (“Ghost in the Cell”).
The working title takes its inspiration from the stickleback fish. The male of the species remains alone with the eggs and fights off predators until his body gives out, at which point his flesh becomes the hatchlings’ first food. Lee uses the image as a metaphor for fatherhood and the sacrifices parents make for their children.
The project marks Lee’s return to directing following the success of the Indonesian version of his earlier phenomenon, and he has called it the most emotionally taxing film he has taken on. He made “Miracle in Cell No. 7” as a gift for his daughter. “Gasigogi” is dedicated to his son.
By shooting in Indonesia, Lee wants to draw on the country’s strong attachment to family, faith and community. He said the film is an original work rather than a transplant of Korean feeling, one that “breathes with Indonesian lungs.”
“Just as a father gives everything to his child, I want to pour everything I have into creating a precious gift for this family,” Lee said. “The name of that gift is ‘Gasigogi.’ The goal is simple: I want to create a film so honest and resonant that when the credits roll, the first thing the audience wants to do is call their father.”
“To be trusted with a story of this magnitude is both an incredible honor and a tremendous emotional challenge,” Bastian added. “Director Lee has crafted a raw, devastating, and beautiful narrative about what a father will endure for his child.”
Mufti said she was grateful to Falcon and Lee for entrusting her with Chitra. “As a mother myself, this story feels very close to my heart,” she said. “It reminds me that love isn’t always expressed through words, but often through the things we do and the sacrifices we make for our children.”
Falcon producer Frederica added, “The unparalleled dedication of our brilliant cast and crew, combined with Director Lee’s masterful storytelling, makes ‘Gasigogi’ a truly special project. We believe this film will leave a lasting, emotional legacy for Indonesian cinema and audiences everywhere.”