ITV

Tag: Hooq

  • Hooq hooks CBS’ Jennifer Batty as CCO

    Hooq hooks CBS’ Jennifer Batty as CCO

    MUMBAI: Earlier this year, OTT service Hooq cofounder and chief content & distribution officer Krishnan Rajagopalan relinquished his post, which lay vacant. Today, the burgeoning SVOD’s service’s CEO Peter Bithos announced that the position has been filled as a replacement has been found in former RTL CBS Asia executive vice-president programming Jennifer Batty.

    A 20 year veteran with exposure to channel development and programming in North America, Asia and Europe, Batty will now be bringing all her experience to bear as Hooq’s chief content officer (CCO). She built her career heading up programming at Modern Times Group (Viasat Broadcasting) pay-TV channels across Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, and held various roles at Alliance Atlantis Communications, from content sales to content development in both Europe and Canada.

    “Jennifer understands the region and she knows customers’ media appetite. Her knowledge of Asia combined with her passion for content are assets we welcome to Hooq,” said Bithos.

    High on Batty’s to-do list is building on the OTT service’s previous week’s week’s agreement with Marvel for exclusive SVoD rights to three new series – Marvel’s Inhumans, Marvel’s Runaways and Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger.

    This represents an extension of a deal signed with Disney early in the year. Additionally Hooq is aiming to extend its list of Asian originals with ‘Saranair Love You’ currently playing in Thai cinemas and available on Hooq three months after the last cinematic screening as well as Asian originals co-produced by Hooq from Indonesia including Critical Eleven, Sweet 20 and Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts, which was also recently screened at the Director’s Fortnight at Cannes and this week at the Toronto International Film Festival.

    “The growing access to multiple screens and improved connectivity underscores the reality that linear viewing is on the decline. With Hooq, viewers can choose to watch their favourite shows wherever, whenever they want. More than ever, we must provide compelling programmes and an easy-to-navigate platform to retain viewers,” said Batty.

    Batty was a key member in RTL Group’s expansion into India and then their joint venture with CBS Studios International, launching RTL CBS Entertainment and RTL CBS Extreme.

  • Singtel’s CAST adds HOOQ to OTT content line-up, three-month trial offered

    Singtel’s CAST adds HOOQ to OTT content line-up, three-month trial offered

    MUMBAI: Singtel’s OTT video portal app CAST is bringing a new world of entertainment to Singtel postpaid mobile, fibre broadband and Singtel TV customers with the addition of HOOQ.

    HOOQ’s extensive library of over 20,000 movies and TV series can be viewed on mobile, tablets, and even big TV screens enabled with Android TV and Google Chromecast. Customers will be spoilt for choice with programmes by HOOQ’s network of studio partners such as Sony Pictures, Warner Bros., Disney, DreamWorks, Lionsgate and over a hundred Asian studios. From Hollywood blockbusters such as Captain America: the First Avenger, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Thor, to popular shows such as The Flash and Supergirl, HOOQ is the only video-on-demand service in Singapore to offer selected Hollywood movies from 90 days of cinema release and TV series with same-day telecasts as the U.S.

    Singtel MD – home, at consumer Singapore Goh Seow Eng said, “Hollywood, Asian and kids’ content is extremely popular with our customers. We are pleased to offer HOOQ’s vast selection in the palm of their hands or comfort of their own homes. We will continue to expand CAST’s content library for our customers’ enjoyment.”

    HOOQ CEO Peter Bithos said, “We are very excited about our partnership with Singtel and proud to bring Singaporeans more of the latest! Binge now on Supergirl, The Flash and Lucifer before catching the latest season the same day as the U.S.! Soon, HOOQ will be bringing three of Marvel’s latest series – Marvel’s Inhumans, Marvel’s Runaways and Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger – the same day as the U.S. telecast! We are always looking for new ways and new titles to keep Singaporeans HOOQ’d month after month!”

    As an introductory offer, Singtel postpaid customers can get a three-month trial on HOOQ with a 12-month contract and pay only S$4.90/month subsequently.

    For customers who opt for a non-contract subscription, they will pay only S$7.90/month.

    HOOQ is the latest addition to CAST’s wide range of content such as Aneka Plus, Asian Plus, Fox+, Variety Plus, Viu Premium and more.

    Singtel postpaid customers can subscribe to HOOQ and enjoy:

    · The best of Hollywood – movies available from 90 days of cinema release and the latest TV series on the same day telecast as the U.S.

    · The largest selection of the best hits – 20,000 movies and TV series for the price of one movie ticket

    · Entertainment for the whole family – including younger kids who can catch their favourite animated series such as Transformers: Robots in Disguise, Mr. Bean and more

    · Unlimited online viewing using up to five devices – download anytime, anywhere

    · An ad-free experience – uninterrupted viewing without ads

  • Hooq to stream Hollywood, Bollywood, regional TV shows and movies on Vodafone Play

    Hooq to stream Hollywood, Bollywood, regional TV shows and movies on Vodafone Play

    MUMBAI: It’s another entertainment feature one would love to Hooq on to — on a mobile device.

    Trends indicate that Indians are fast adopting mobile phones as their first screen for entertainment. Time-spent on smartphones jumped by 16 per cent in the period Jan-March 2017 over the previous quarter largely driven by a strong demand for social media platforms, and entertainment apps.

    Ever responsive to the needs of a super-connected customer base, Vodafone India has partnered with Hooq, a video-on-demand service, to offer unlimited streaming of over thousands of hours of entertainment from Hollywood, Bollywood and local movies along with exclusive series, to customers. This basket of entertainment will be available on Vodafone Play, Vodafone’s one-stop entertainment destination to enjoy streaming of content; be it Live TV, popular shows, latest movies or trending music videos.

    Vodafone Play subscribers can now binge-watch popular American shows like The Big Bang Theory, Arrow, The Vampire Diaries, Gotham, Supergirl, Friends, The Flash and many more. Enhancing the video streaming experience on Vodafone Play is a rich list of the best of local and Hollywood hits at no extra charges.

    Vodafone India national head – VAS and content Dipankar Ghoshal said, “With mobiles becoming the preferred screen for entertainment, the average time spent on smartphones daily is significantly higher than TV, demonstrating that the engagement levels provided by smartphones remain unparalleled. We find our customers are increasingly seeking enriching and diverse content options. Through our partnership with Hooq, Vodafone has further strengthened the base of quality content on Vodafone Play.”

    Hooq India managing director Salil Kapoor said, “This collaboration further solidifies our position as the country’s biggest premium video-on-demand service. India is one of the key markets for Hooq and this strategic partnership will ensure a wider reach for us giving Vodafone customers a window to experience the best of Hollywood movies and TV Shows across genres.”

  • Hooq partners Disney to bring Marvel series to South-East Asia

    Hooq partners Disney to bring Marvel series to South-East Asia

    MUMBAI: Hooq – a Video on Demand service in South-East Asia, has now got exclusive SVOD rights to bring three of Marvel’s latest series – Marvel’s Inhumans, Marvel’s Runaways and Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger – on the same day as the US telecast on their platform for the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore, via a newly inked deal with The Walt Disney Company South-East Asia.

    While the first chapter of Marvel’s Inhumans has been released last week worldwide in IMAX theatres, the following episodes will then be available on Hooq from the end of September with additional exclusive content, not seen in IMAX  theatres.  Next up will be Marvel’s Runaways which debuts on digital on November 21st, 2017.  Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger will be released later on in 2018.  All these will have all episodes screened same day as the US telecast.

    These 3 new series will join the collection of Marvel movies and series already on the Hooq platform – the recent Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2, Agent Carter, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Marvel’s the Avengers, Thor, Iron Man, Iron Man 2, and Captain America – The First Avenger.

    This exclusive deal comes shortly after Hooq announced their collaboration with Disney, earlier this year to bring their latest movies onto the platform via Transactional VOD (TVOD).

    “Hooq is always looking for new ways and partnerships to bring exciting and quality content to our viewers.  This tie-up with Disney, which now allows our viewers to catch their favourite series Inhumans, Runaways and Cloak and Dagger on the same day as the US telecast is something we are very proud of and brings the world of Marvel’s superheroes closer to Asia.  Marvel’s series’ now available on Hooq is the first of many things to come with this tie-up and we will continue to push boundaries, to evolve and stay committed to delivering unique, compelling and edgy stories to millions of our customers in the region,” said Hooq CEO Peter Bithos.

    “We are excited to extend our collaboration with HOOQ in bringing these iconic Marvel shows day and date with the US telecast to digital audiences across Southeast Asia.  We are pleased to offer our Marvel fans yet another platform to enjoy their favourite TV shows” said The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia VP and GM of media networks Amit Malhotra.

    Marvel’s Inhumans is the latest series from Marvel Studios and its first chapter is shot completely in IMAX® cameras.  After the Royal Family of Inhumans is splintered by a military coup, they barely escape to Hawaii where their surprising interactions with the lush world and humanity around them may prove to not only save them, but Earth itself.

    Marvel’s Runaways will be the first TV adaptation of the Marvel comic of the same name, where a group of teenagers find out not only do they have superpowers, but that their parents are supervillains.  Torn between filial piety and being heroes, they will face adversaries like never before.

    Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger, also follows the characters of the Marvel comic of the same name.  Heroes Tyrone Johnson and Tandy Bowen share a symbiotic relationship as a crime fighting duo since they are Light and Darkness incarnate. These series are all set within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

  • Hooq releases Thai original ‘Saranair Love You’ starring Mario Maurer

    Hooq releases Thai original ‘Saranair Love You’ starring Mario Maurer

    MUMBAI: Hooq, a Video on Demand service in South-East Asia, has released its first ever Thai Hooq Original movie, Saranair Love You, done in collaboration with Tech Digital Corporation, Thailand’s leading movie studio. Saranair Love You is a cinematic comedy, directed by Kiattisak Udomnak. It follows the adventures and misfortunes of two best friends, played by ‘Saranair Hen Phi’ star Willy McIntosh and ‘Sena Hoi’ Kiattisak Udomnak.

    The plot centres around Willy and Kiattisak playing best friends, Rang and Peng, who after getting caught in a diamond heist goes on a whirlwind adventure to save their marriage, family relationships and even their friendship. At the same time, they are also trying to take revenge on their enemies and steal back their lost diamond, all while being tailed closely by a comedic cop duo who is just one step behind them.

    They are joined with a great medley of stars such as Tonhom Sakuntala, Sun Prachakorn, Pong Kapol, Jack Fanchan, Yut Fedfe, Japan, Ji-Yoen and superstar heartthrob Mario Maurer.

    “Where better to launch our first cinematic comedy original than in the land of a thousand smiles. Thailand comes with amazing talent for both movies and comedies and Hooq is very excited to release our first ever original in the country, Saranair Love You. This is the first of many exciting originals to come that delivers quality entertainment to our customers and hopefully will keep you Hooq’s to your screens. We will continue to push boundaries, to evolve and stay committed to delivering unique, compelling and edgy stories to millions of our customers both in Thailand and in the region,” said Hooq CEO Peter Bithos.

    Saranair Love You is currently playing in Thai cinemas and will be available on Hooq 3 months after the last cinematic screening. This comes hot after the several other announcements of cinematic Asian originals co-produced by Hooq from Indonesia including Critical Eleven, Sweet 20 and Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts, which was also recently screened at the Director’s Fortnight at Cannes.

  • Hooq brings new titles for a family fun-day with dad

    MUMBAI: Father’s Day – a time to show gratitude and hug your Dad as tight as you can by planning a surprise movie date for him. Hooq, Asia’s first premium video-on-demand service has added new movie titles to its existing content base including renowned content such as Big Fish, Fathers and Sons, The Karate Kid, John Q, Daddy Day Camp, Daddy Day Care, Big Daddy, Happy Feet Two amongst others.

    Big Fish – Based on the novel by Daniel Wallace in 1998, the American comedy drama showcases a Father’s effort to mend ways with his estranged son. Directed by Tim Burton and stars Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange and Marion Cotillard, the movie is about a father’s attempts of normalizing his estranged relationship with his son by narrating his experiences and in the meantime, apologizing for all the time he lost with his son.

    Fathers and Sons – Is a 1992 American crime drama film written and directed by Paul Mones. The film revolves around a director’s life, Max who after his wife’s death moves from New York City to a small seaside town and finds it difficult to raise his child without a mother. The Film stars Jeff Goldblum, Rory Cochrane, Rosanna Arquette, Natasha Gregson Wagner and Famke Janssen.

    The Karate Kid – The Chinese-American martial arts drama film was directed by Harald Zwart and produced by Jerry Weintraub, James Lassiter, Ken Stovitz and Jaden’s parents Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith . Released in 2003, the film revolves around a 12-year-old boy from Detroit, who moves to Beijing, China with his mother. During his journey, he comes across an aging maintenance man who happens to be a kung fu master who then trains him with the secrets of self-defense.

    Daddy Day Camp – Cuba Gooding Jr. and Paul Rae star as Charlie Hinton and Phil Ryerson, a pair of fathers who attempt to keep their summer camp afloat even though they are under dire economic strain. In order to help improve the financial situation, and to whip together a group of children who have a problem with following orders, Hinton brings in his military trained father (Richard Gant) even though he and his father have been on the outs. Soon the campers, and the fathers, are involved in a series of adventures that will make the camp solvent, and help mend broken relationships.

    Daddy Day Care – An American family comedy film written by Geoff Rodkey and directed by Steve Carr starring Eddie Murphy, Jeff Garlin, Steve Zahn, Regina King, and Anjelica Huston. Fired from their high-profile advertising jobs, Charlie (Eddie Murphy) and Phil (Jeff Garlin) pull their sons out of day care at expensive Chapman Academy. But they soon decide if they can take care of two kids, why not ten? It turns out to be much harder than they imagined, but slowly they get the hang of it and their new venture begins to siphon kids away from the stuffy Chapman¾leading to a showdown with the dreaded Miss Harridan (Anjelica Huston).

  • The shape of Indian OTT universe circa 2021 according to Rethink Tech Research

    MUMBAI: This should put OTT players on alert and gladden the hearts of linear TV distribution and programming executives. The latest numbers about how India’s video guzzlers are going to consume VoD services by the UK-based industry tracker Rethink Technology Research reveal that India will have about 14.6 million VoD subscribers by 2021. Indiantelevision.com estimates are that, comparatively, Indian DTH will account for about 75 million active subscribers and cable TV more than 100 million by then.

    Clearly, VoD will have made a marginal dent in eroding linear TV distribution platforms stranglehold on Indian viewers thanks to the lower sticker prices for cable TV and DTH, which will possibly continue to be in play even in 2021. Cord-cutting, which is becoming increasingly common in many markets, may not really make its way to Indian shores.

    Yes, the data suggests that India will be the second largest market in Asia Pacific after China which will account for 60 per cent of the Asia Pacific’s $10 billion subscription revenues and 200 million subs, by 2021. (The corresponding figures for 2016 are at $6.5 billion and 100 million respectively.)

    “Asia Pacific is made up of a multitude of contrasting individual markets, making it fragmented and complex with broadband penetration above 50%, in some regions and below 10% in others,” said a statement from Rethink Technology Research.
    There will be a hard pitched battle for subscription shares between the 30 odd OTT players in the game in India. By then probably many more OTT providers will have stomped into the terrain. And hence one wonders how many of them will be profitable.

    Both, Netflix and Amazon Prime, are just about beginning to plonk down top dollars – like India has not seen before – on original shows which should hop on to their India – and later global – offering by next year. Hotstar and Viacom18’s Voot have also been investing heavily to acquire customers. Estimates are that the two have pumped in around Rs 4000 million and Rs 1400 million, respectively, since launch. Others such as Viu, NextGTV, Spuul, ErosNow, Hooq, SonyLiv, YuppTV and Alt Balaji too are in a customer acquisition phase, having just got onto the runway.

    The good news, according to Rethink, is that pure play SVoD services in APAC (expected revenues by 2021: $6.29 billion) will dominate operator-supplied services.

    As far as APAC is concerned, the research house predicts that Indonesia and Japan will be third and fourth, with each increasing to 9.96 million and 8.1 million by 2021, respectively.

  • Hooq’s ‘Marlina…” goes to Cannes

    MUMBAI: Hooq, one of the largest Video on Demand service in South-East Asia, has announced that its first Indonesian original production will be screening at the Director’s Fortnight in Cannes which opens this week. This is on the back of a series of announcements from Hooqthat underscores its commitment to Asian film production through ventures with top independent studios and filmmakers in the region.

    “Hooq is very proud that Marlina will be screening at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight this year! We look forward to many more successful Hooq original productions that will gain recognition in the international film industry, but more importantly will keep our customers Hooq’d month after month! Our continued commitment to the Asian film industry will see us investing in more original productions with the goal to give new and established talents an avenue to tell their stories in multiple formats – be it a feature film or a 10-part series,” said Peter Bithos, Chief Executive Officer of Hooq.

    In addition to Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts, In addition to Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts, In addition to Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts, Hooq recently announced a host of original productions – Critical Eleven and Sweet 20 to hit cinemas in May and June 2017 respectively, the highly anticipated On the Job which will debut in cinemas in August followed by a 5-part series that will launch exclusive on Hooq six weeks later and The T Party (working codename) will hit the service later this year. At the same time, Hooq also announced a new initiative Hooq Filmmakers Guild – which is a search for Asian film talents to turn their ideas into reality.

    MARLINA THE MURDERER IN FOUR ACTS
    The most recent work of director Mouly Surya (36), Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts will premiere on 24 May 2017 at Quinzaine des Réalisateur (Directors’ Fortnight) which takes place in parallel to 2017 Cannes Film Festival.

    Marlina depicts the story of a widow on her journey to look for justice after a band of robbers assaults her. This film written by Mouly Surya and Rama Adi is based on Garin Nugroho’s story idea. It is produced by Rama Adi and Fauzan Zidni and starring Marsha Timothy, Dea Panendra, Yoga Pratama and Egi Fedly.

    “It is a big honor to be included in the Directors’ Fortnight line up, an event to seek the world’s famous auters with more edgy works. This is a good event for Marlina and I hope the film will get the opportunity for a wider distribution after this screening,” said Mouly Surya during the press conference at Plaza Indonesia on 12 May 2017.

    Marlina is a co-production between Cinesurya, Kaninga Pictures (Indonesia), Sasha & Co Production (France), Astro Shaw (Malaysia), In addition to Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts, HOOQ recently announced a host of original productions – Critical Eleven and Sweet 20 to hit cinemas in May and June 2017 respectively, the highly anticipated On the Job which will debut in cinemas in August followed by a 5-part series that will launch exclusive on Hooq six weeks later and The T Party (working codename) will hit the service later this year. At the same time, Hooq also announced a new initiative Hooq Filmmakers Guild – which is a search for Asian film talents to turn their ideas into reality.

    Chairman of Indonesian Creative Economy Agency Triawan Munaf said, “Mouly Surya’s success in the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight is a major achievement for Indonesian cinema. Aside from being selected in this section for the first time, an Indonesian film is finally being featured again in the world’s most prestigious film festival.”

    The Counselor for Cooperation and Cultural Action of the Embassy of France and Director of IFI Marc Piton said, “Supported by CNC, IFI and Cinema du Monde, Mouly’s work has marked close relationships between Indonesia and France in cinematography. Being selected for the Director’s Fortnight at Cannes also shows that Indonesian films are gaining more recognition internationally.”

    Organized by Societe des Realisateurs de Films (French Directors Guild) and initially held in 1969, the Directors’ Fortnight that runs parallel to the Cannes Film Festival aims to aid filmmakers and contributes to their discovery by the critics and audiences alike. The Director’s Fortnight has discovered and debut famous directors such as Werner Herzog, George Lucas, Martin Scorsese, Jim Jarmush, Michael Haneke, Spike Lee, Sofia Coppola and many more. The selected titles will be premiered at the festival from 18 – 28 May 2017 in Cannes, followed by the premiere in Marseille, Paris, Geneva, Rome, Milan, Florence and Brussels.

    Marlina was previously selected for the Asian Project Market at 2015 Busan International Film Festival and Cinefondation L’Atelier at 2016 Cannes Film Festival. This film received funds from Talents Tokyo through the Next Masters Support Programme and subsidy from Cinémas du Monde from French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    Marlina is the fourth full-length feature film from Indonesia to be selected for the Cannes Film Festival. The previous three films are Tjoet Nja Dhien (1988, Semaine de la Critique), Daun di Atas Bantal (1998, Un Certain Regard) and Serambi (2006, Un Certain Regard).

    Mouly directed What They Don’t Talk About When They Talk About Love (2013), the first Indonesian film selected to compete in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the Sundance Film Festival. Her first film, Fiksi (2008), led Mouly to be the only female who received Citra Awards for the best director.

  • Hooq launches filmmakers guild, 5th original announced at APOS

    MUMBAI: Hooq, one of the the largest Video on Demand service in South-East Asia — announced their latest initiative –Hooq Filmmakers Guild, a South-East Asia wide project that helps turn the most imaginative TV series ideas of filmmakers into reality, thus celebrating Asia, the nation from which great TV arises.

    Hooq calls for film professionals, be it directors, producers or scriptwriters to send in scripts and treatments for a TV series idea they have. From these, the five best scripts, regionally, will be given a funding of USD$ 30,000 to be converted into a pilot episode that will debut on Hooq. Submissions can be from Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia. The best out of these five pilot episodes, decided by Hooq subscribers and a star-studded judging panel consisting of the top film talents around Asia as well as Hollywood (to be announced), will be converted into a full series produced and aired on Hooq.

    “There is incredible talent for TV series making in Asia, and we want to give opportunities to film professionals to turn these amazing ideas into reality. Hooq is built in Asia for Asia and we want to give Asian filmmakers the power to create quality entertainment that gives our customers that escape into worlds of romance, action, adventure and even heroism, all in the setting of their backyard. Hooq Filmmakers Guild does just that, making Asia the nation from which great TV arises!”, Hooq CEO Peter Bithos .

    This project commences from 1 June 2017 and will be open for entries till 1 August 2017. Applicants must be either in film school or working as professionals in the film industry with prior film production experience. They are to submit the script and treatment for a mini-series or a full series with a maximum of 13 episodes for a single season in order to qualify. There will be no restriction to genre, however submissions and productions must be in the language of the applicant’s country.

    This announcement comes one day after Hooq announces four new Hooq original productions – Critical Eleven and Sweet 20 to hit cinemas in May and June 2017 respectively and the other 3 to hit the platform (‘The T Party’) and Marlina and the Murderer in Four Acts) later this year.

  • Hooq unveils three Asian original productions

    MUMBAI: Hooq will be doubling down on local Asian stories, making a bold move into original content across the region.

    Hooq will be announcing five all-new Asian originals, adding to its already comprehensive Asian catalogue. These five new projects, which will be announced at APOS this week, from across the region and take the form of three movies, a multi-episode series along with five pilots. The projects also transcend genre with romance, comedy and drama.

    “There is a huge thirst for high quality, unique Asian stories, told from an Asian perspective. We aim to satisfy this with Hooq Originals on our platform. These four new Hooq Originals are going to whet your binge-watching appetite for drama, romance and comedies. This is just the beginning of a lot more exciting Asian originals to keep you Hooq’d. We will continue to push boundaries, to evolve and stay committed to delivering unique, compelling and edgy Asian stories to our millions of Hooq customers,” said Hooq chief executive officer Peter Bithos.

    These four new original productions come on the back of Hooq and Globe Studios’ first highly anticipated original production On The Job – the pilot of which will now be released as a full-length movie followed by a 5-episode series forming Season 1. Directed by Erik Matti and co-produced with Reality Entertainment, this thrilling drama of crime, deceit and struggles touch scarily close to the hearts of the current underbelly deep in Filipino societal issues. The full-length feature film is slated for release in August 2017 followed six weeks later by the rest of season 1.

    ‘The T Party’

    The second Filipino original production from Hooq, codenamed ‘The T Party’, centres around today’s modern story of finding love on an online dating app aims to delight and entertain with its sexy, steamy yet funny romances. The development of an eight-episode series is now underway with top directors in the romcom genre including Joyce Bernal, as well as Marvin Agustin in his directorial debut. Each episode will revolve around intertwining stories based on finding love (or otherwise) through a popular dating app. It will be, in most ways, an unofficial guide, and a scandalous expose on the merry world of online dating, as navigated by an insider. This series is scheduled to debut exclusively on Hooq in the late 2017.

    Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts

    Hooq’s first Indonesian original, “Marlina The Murderer in Four Acts” has been selected at the Director’s Fortnight session at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival. Marlina is Hooq’s first venture into Indonesian production. Hooq has chosen to co-produce this film with award-winning Indonesian film- maker Mouly Surya and producers Rama Adi and Fauzan Zidni. The film is a co-production between Cinesurya and Kaninga Pictures, Sasha and Co Production, Astro Shaw, Hooq and Purin Pictures. Marlina tells a story of a young widow of the Indonesian hills of the Island of Sumba. Attacked and robbed by a gang of local men, Marlina exacts revenge on the entire gang. The next day, she commences a journey for justice, empowerment and redemption. But her road is long, especially when the ghost of her headless victim decides to haunt her. This is the first Indonesian film to have been selected at Directors’ Fortnight session and the fourth ever selected in Cannes. Marlina is targeted to hit the big screens towards the end of 2017.

    Sweet 20

    In partnership with Starvision and CJ Entertainment, directed by Ody C. Harahap, Sweet 20 is an adaptation from a best-selling Korean movie called Miss Granny. This remake of the Korean comedy tells the story of a 70-year old grandmother, Fatmawati who was transported back to her youth as a 20-year old and becomes a star. However an event occurs where she has to make the difficult decision to remain in her new life or return to being a 70-year old in order to save the life of her grandson. Sweet 20 is slated to hit the big screens in Indonesia this June.

    The fourth and fifth Hooq Original will be announced later this week during APOS.