International co-productions are increasingly redefining the independent film landscape, as filmmakers look beyond domestic boundaries to secure financing, expand distribution potential and build stories that resonate across cultures. In an industry that is becoming more interconnected by the day, projects that balance strong regional identity with global accessibility are finding greater traction at international markets and development platforms. Strange Root emerges as one such project, combining mythological storytelling with a carefully structured international collaboration strategy.
With a clearly defined production roadmap, the team behind Strange Root entered the co-production market with a focused approach to securing global partners — and that strategy has already yielded results. As reported by Deadline, the Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) project has brought on board four international co-production companies from Indonesia, Germany, the Netherlands and the Philippines, reflecting a deliberate effort to position the film within a wider regional and global network.
Set in 11th-century Temasek (present-day Singapore), the film follows Akshat, a demigod born from a yam, whose fragile place within his community begins to unravel with the arrival of a mysterious beast. As shifting loyalties and fear take hold among the villagers, the story explores themes of displacement, obsession and identity through a distinctive blend of mythology and body horror — a genre space that continues to gain global attention for its ability to translate culturally specific ideas into universally engaging narratives.
The film’s international production base includes Palari Films’ Muhammad Zaidy and Meiske Taurisia from Indonesia, Roshanak Behesht Nedjad of Germany’s In Good Company, Anouk Sluizer of Sluizer Film Productions in the Netherlands, and Keith Deligero and Gale Osorio of Archipelago: Binisaya in the Philippines. The combination of partners across multiple territories highlights a growing trend in Southeast Asian and European collaboration, where projects are increasingly designed to travel beyond their country of origin from the earliest stages of development.
Directors Mark Chua and Lam Li Shuen bring a distinctive creative voice shaped by their background in experimental filmmaking and music. The Singapore-based duo first collaborated as part of an art rock project before transitioning into cinema, where they have developed a body of work rooted in speculative fiction, body horror and explorations of existential identity. Their films often examine the tension between personal and historical narratives, and have been presented across international platforms including Zurich, Taipei and Singapore, alongside their work as the music duo ARE.
Strange Root has already gained recognition on the global development circuit, having been selected for Rotterdam CineMart 2025 and Berlinale Talents Script Station 2024. The filmmakers describe the project as an exploration of mythology, materiality and history, drawing from both real and imagined pasts to reflect on contemporary questions of identity and belonging. This layered approach positions the film within a growing category of genre-driven independent cinema that prioritizes thematic depth alongside visual experimentation.
Beyond its narrative ambitions, the project is also being conceived as part of a larger creative framework. Rather than existing solely as a standalone feature, Strange Root is envisioned as the foundation for a broader ecosystem of interconnected works. The team is exploring ways to extend its world across multiple creative formats, reflecting an industry-wide shift toward building scalable intellectual property that can engage audiences across different platforms and experiences.
Co-producer Tan Bee Thiam emphasized the importance of this approach in the current exhibition environment, where theatrical cinema must offer audiences something distinct from at-home viewing. As streaming continues to dominate everyday consumption, projects that embrace expanded cinematic experiences — whether through visual ambition, world-building or cross-medium storytelling — are increasingly seen as essential to sustaining theatrical relevance.
The filmmakers also highlight genre as a key bridge between local storytelling and international audiences. While rooted in specific cultural and mythological contexts, genre films — particularly those operating within horror and fantasy — often carry a universal accessibility that allows them to travel more easily across borders. This duality enables projects like Strange Root to remain culturally specific while still appealing to a broader global audience.
Looking ahead, the production team aims to lock financing by October 2026, with pre-production scheduled to begin shortly thereafter and principal photography planned in Indonesia in May 2027. Following its participation at HAF, the project has also been invited to pitch at the Critics’ Week Next Step Studio at Cannes, further strengthening its presence within the international development pipeline.
As it continues to move forward, Strange Root stands as a compelling example of how independent filmmakers are adapting to a rapidly evolving global industry — combining regional narratives with international collaboration, and rethinking the scale and scope of what independent cinema can achieve in a connected world.
Read More:
- Beyond Hype: The 10 Indian Films Defining Anticipation in 2026
- Hollywood Box Office Failures 2025 Explained — What The Year’s Biggest Misses Taught Us
- Why James Cameron’s Films Refuse to Fade — Even When the Box Office Is Done
- Best Santa Claus Movies of All Time, Ranked by Impact and Legacy
- 35 Years Later: From Traps to Triumphs: Where Are the Stars of ‘Home Alone’ Now?