RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Director Joko Anwar has successfully brought a distinct flavor of Indonesian humor and satire to the global stage through his latest film, Ghost in the Cell. The film recently celebrated its world premiere at the 2026 Berlin International Film Festival, widely known as the Berlinale.

Attending the premiere alongside producer Tia Hasibuan and lead actors Abimana Aryasatya and Endy Arfian, Joko Anwar admitted to initial nerves regarding how international audiences would perceive the work. His primary concern stemmed from the film’s heavy reliance on cultural nuances and sharp satire that are deeply rooted in the Indonesian social fabric.

“We were extremely worried because the jokes are very 'Indonesian.' We wondered if they would be well-received in Berlin, and we feared a negative reception there might impact the film's reputation back home,” Joko Anwar shared during a press conference for Ghost in the Cell at XXI Epicentrum, Jakarta, on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

The tension was palpable even before the lights dimmed. “Even when we saw the giant posters on the street, we couldn't just enjoy the moment or think, ‘Wow, look at our movie.’ We were simply too anxious,” he added.

Abimana Aryasatya, who portrays the character Anggoro, echoed these sentiments. He questioned whether the film's thematic material would resonate with a crowd representing such diverse cultural backgrounds.

“Looking at the audience made me even more nervous. It was such a mix of cultures and ages. There were couples in their 80s and 90s, teenagers, people from Mexico, France, it was incredibly random,” remarked Abimana.

However, those fears dissipated once the screening began. Abimana noted that the Berlinale proved to be the ultimate testing ground for gauging global market response. He observed that despite the varied demographics, the film’s core messages landed effectively, albeit evoking different personal reactions from different viewers.

The results surpassed expectations, with the audience not only accepting but thoroughly enjoying the humor. Joko Anwar revealed that certain lines of dialogue, which might be considered mundane in Indonesia, triggered thunderous laughter in Berlin.

“The theater was in stitches from beginning to end. People were laughing at parts that we in Indonesia wouldn’t even consider that funny,” noted Joko Anwar.

Abimana attributed this success to the film’s blend of comedic styles. Beyond the regional Asian humor, the film incorporates layers of sarcastic comedy that transitioned seamlessly to an international context.

“When the sarcastic messages were delivered, they really hit home. It seems that when different countries share the same underlying anxieties, the humor becomes universal,” he said.

Reflecting on the Berlinale experience, Joko Anwar concluded that authenticity is the key to global reach. He believes that staying true to one's roots is what ultimately makes a story relatable on a worldwide scale.

“If we make a film that is authentically Indonesian, using our specific problems and our way of thinking, it actually becomes more universal. It becomes more interesting to a global audience because they recognize that we are all facing similar human issues,” concluded Joko Anwar. (Annaila Azzahra/Bambang MBKA)