Indonesian Film Pelangi di Mars Adopts Hollywood-Style XR Technology

RRI.CO.ID, Ambon - A new frontier in Indonesian cinema is being forged as Mahakarya Pictures embraces the same cutting-edge technology behind Hollywood blockbusters to bring its latest project to life. The film Pelangi di Mars (Rainbow in Mars) is utilizing Extended Reality (XR) technology in its production phase, marking a significant leap toward global visual standards for the domestic film industry.

Director Upie Guava leads this ambitious project, which blends animation and live-action into a seamless hybrid experience. By employing XR, a technology famously utilized in international productions like The Mandalorian and The Batman, the production team aims to deliver an immersive visual spectacle that was previously difficult to achieve within the local landscape.

Producer Dendi Reynando noted that while the transition to such high-tech methods is challenging, it is a necessary step for national progress. "We are aware that the technology is not easy and is still relatively new in Indonesia, but we want to prove that local creators are also capable of producing work with world-class standards," said Dendi in a press release on Monday, April 20, 2026.

Beyond the technical milestones, the film is rooted in a deeply personal mission to address the lack of local representation for the younger generation. Dendi explained that the project was born from a desire to create Indonesian characters that children can truly identify with and celebrate.

"When I take my child to the cinema or a toy store, there are almost no Indonesian child characters that they can recognize. From that, I felt we needed to present a work that truly belongs to us," he remarked, as quoted by Antara.

The production of Pelangi di Mars has been a long-term commitment, with development beginning in 2020 and involving hundreds of local creators. Although the adoption of XR technology presents a steep learning curve, the filmmakers hope this project will serve as a foundational step for the wider integration of advanced digital tools within Indonesia’s national creative industries. ***