Making Yama Caslos Amazed, Director Harry Dagoe Elevates the Mystical World Through the Film "Bound by the Devil's Road"

Kapanlagi.com - Director and screenwriter Harry Dagoe Suharyadi presents a horror film with a very personal approach. Through BOUND BY THE DEVIL'S ROAD, he touches on the dark side of life that has coexisted with modernity.

"Since I was a child, I have lived between two worlds. One is modern, rapidly moving from kerosene lamps to electricity, from radio to television to the internet. The other is the hidden mystical world that is always present; witchcraft, occultism, and mystical rituals that coexist with the advancement of time," said Harry Dagoe.

This film is a summary of Harry's spiritual and inner experiences from 1979 to adulthood, which he believes is still relevant to today's societal conditions. He wants to show that the advancement of time does not erase the mystical world.

"This film was born from my unease seeing society live in progress but powerless against the pressures of life. Many people ultimately take shortcuts through the mystical world, pressures that feel even more suffocating than during colonial times," he revealed.

1. Three Stories in One Film

Through three intertwined stories within a single main plot, this film presents an authentic depiction of local occult practices, particularly in Java. Harry firmly rejects the Western horror approach, which he believes is not suitable for the Indonesian cultural context.

"Translating local occultism to the big screen in a Western style feels like a 'rape' of culture to me," he explains.

"I am very careful and focused in uniting the script, visuals, and montage to create a cinematic atmosphere of local mysticism, providing a deep emotional impact that lingers long after the audience leaves the cinema," he adds.

Yama Carlos, the main actor in this film, also shares his experiences during the shooting process. He admits to gaining directorial experiences that he had never encountered before.

"Mr. Harry Dagoe is crazy when it comes to making films. In my 25 years as an actor, this is the first time I have been directed with such a unique staging perspective that I have never experienced before," said Yama Carlos.

"He makes us truly immerse ourselves in fictional events that feel real—whether it's love, anger, or the presence of a supernatural being in front of us," he adds.

2. Strange Incident During Filming

Senior actress Erna Santoso also experienced a strange incident while filming at night. She described the event as her first supernatural experience on set.

"I suddenly had vertigo and forgot my lines during a night shoot. In my panic, Mas Harry just calmed me down slowly. Strangely, after a few minutes, the scene was already finished recording, with a very good result for Mas Harry. That was my first supernatural experience on a film set throughout my decades as an actress," Erna revealed.

This film also caught the attention of senior film observer Yan Wijaya when he visited the shooting location in the Papandayan area, Garut. He noticed a special tribute from Harry to his idol director.

Terikat Jalan Setan is scheduled to be released in theaters soon, with a main message about the blurred lines between technological advancement and spiritual belief. Harry closed the press conference session with one question that also became the main theme of this film.

(kpl/far/phi)