Arla Ailani’s Horror Film Experience from True Story | Republika Online
Jakarta – Actress Arla Ailani stars in Starvision’s latest horror film titled “Petaka Gunung Gede.” In this movie based on a true story, Arla portrays the character Maya Azka, a woman who directly experiences a series of mystical terrors on Gunung Gede. Portraying the character of Maya proved to be a unique challenge for Arla because, for the first time, she embodied a character inspired by a real, living person.
Challenges of Portraying a Real-life Character
When interviewed at the Republika.co.id office on Wednesday, Arla shared her experience, stating, “What was challenging for me was that this is the first time I portrayed a real-life character who is still alive. Usually, I play new roles that are not based on true stories.” Arla faced the difficulty of accurately depicting the real-life individual she was portraying. She had to adjust her mannerisms, gestures, intonations, and even thought processes to match those of the actual person.
Deepening Character Understanding
Despite the challenging process of delving into the character, Arla expressed her gratitude for having Maya present throughout the filmmaking process. “Maya was very involved in every step of our process, from readings to shooting. Even in the more difficult scenes, she was there, even though it must have been challenging to relive those moments. She also encouraged me a lot,” Arla shared.
The Story Behind “Petaka Gunung Gede”
“Petaka Gunung Gede” is based on the real-life experience of Maya Azka and her deceased friend, Ita, during a mountain climbing trip on Gunung Gede in 2007. This story went viral on Prasodjo Muhammad’s YouTube channel and has been viewed over 15.6 million times. Directed by Azhar Kinoi Lubis, the film follows Maya and Ita as they climb Gunung Gede with five other friends. However, the journey turns into a disaster for Ita, who, while menstruating, violates the local prohibition on climbing. Ita is believed to have disturbed the mountain’s guardian, leading to a series of mystical terrors haunting the group.
As Ita faces these mystical terrors, Maya refuses to believe that everything is due to a mythological violation. She is determined to find answers to the challenges Ita is facing. Apart from Arla, the film features Adzana Ashel, Raihan Khan, Endy Arfian, Mieke Amalia, Teuku Rifnu Wikana, Umar Lubis, and others. “Petaka Gunung Gede” will hit theaters starting February 6, 2025.
