Not a Director For Hire Type, Joko Anwar Only Makes Films He Wants to Make

Kapanlagi.com - Throughout his career in the film industry since 2003, Joko Anwar has directed eight titles with his own signature. Although not releasing films every year, whenever a new work appears, it immediately attracts the attention of many people, both during its circulation and long after.

Most of the films directed by Joko are based on his own scripts. This is because the man from Medan is not included in the type of directors for hire or directors who make films based on producers' requests.

"There are two types of directors that can be divided. First, directors for hire, where producers can call to direct a film. Second, there are directors who make films because they want to make films. Fortunately, I belong to the type of director who makes films because I want to," said Joko as quoted during a live session on Instagram Cinema XXI, Friday (3/7/2020).

1. Not Better

© KapanLagi.com/Bayu Herdianto

Although refusing the producer's request to direct their commissioned film, Joko Anwar does not feel that his work is better than other directors. It's just that when choosing to work on a project that he truly likes, he can do it wholeheartedly and with all his energy.

"Nowadays, many people say 'Joko, do you want to direct our film' and all that, I can't do it yet because I'm not a director for hire. It doesn't mean that those who make their own films are better than directors for hire. It's just a choice," he emphasized.

2. Longing

Without looking at the history behind the scenes, PENGABDI SETAN seems like a producer's commissioned film. However, in reality, Joko Anwar has been begging for a chance to remake the horror film for years. Not to mention GUNDALA which fulfills his dream of directing a local superhero action film.

"Even though I've wanted to make PENGABDI SETAN for a long time. GUNDALA was a film that I wanted to direct even before I was offered the opportunity," said the bespectacled man.

(kpl/abs/rsp)