Debut as a Film Director Directly Trying Out the Horror Genre, Baim Wong Admits Difficulty in Finding Actors

Kapanlagi.com - After trying his hand as a producer, Baim Wong made his directorial debut in a feature film. Not holding back, he directed a horror film titled LEMBAYUNG which is adapted from a viral thread on social media X.

Baim stated that this film is different from other horrors. It will be dominated by dramatic elements that are expected to stir emotions while watching.

"Combining these elements (drama and horror) is very difficult. I have to direct the actors so that the emotions reach the audience. Meanwhile, I also have to know the timing for the jump scares," said Baim when met at Epicentrum XXI, Rasuna Said area, South Jakarta, on Monday (26/8).

1. Hard to Find Actors

KapanLagi.com/Bayu Herdianto

In order to easily obtain the dramatic elements, Baim Wong personally selected the actors for the film LEMBAYUNG. The first two actors he secured were Arya Saloka and Oka Antara because they were already friends.

"I chose all the actors carefully. Finding actors is very difficult due to their tight schedules. The first actors I found were my own friends, Arya Saloka and Oka Antara. The hardest part was finding the two main actors, Yasamin Jasem and Taskya Namya," said Baim Wong.

2. Looking at Previous Films for Assurance

KapanLagi.com/Bayu Herdianto

As a new director, Baim Wong did not have time to work with new actors who needed to be trained from scratch. Before deciding whether Yasamin Jasem and Taskya Namya were suitable, he first watched their previous films for more assurance.

"As a new director, it will be difficult to develop someone from scratch, so before choosing, I need to know the actors' capabilities. I saw Yasamin in KHANZAB, her acting was great, so I contacted her. As for Taskya, I saw her in DI AMBANG KEMATIAN. She was really good, I immediately WhatsApp her with Arya's help," concluded Baim Wong.

(kpl/abs/sry)