Modern-day Indonesia was formed from the nationalised colonies of the Dutch East India Company. It was a gem of the Dutch empire, contributing to the empire’s prominence in the spice and cash crop trade in the 19th century.
In common with the experience of various colonized lands, the economic prosperity that befell the Dutch empire came at a great cost to the natives: from exploitation of their resources to being relegated to second-class citizens in their own motherland. Unsurprisingly, tensions rose between ghe colonizers and the natives until revolts broke out.
One such revolt is depicted in the new HBO Original Series, Grisse, which has now begun its principal photography amd is scheduled to premiere later this year on HBO’s on-air, online and on-demand platforms.
The series’ eight hour-long episodes will chronicle the story of how a group of unlikely individuals with diverse backgrounds and motivations came together to rebel against a brutal governor and found themselves in control the Dutch garrison town called Grisse.
Developed and produced by HBO Asia and together with Singapore-based Infinite Studios, GRISSE will feature an ensemble cast of actors who are based in Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and Europe. They include Adinia Wirasti (HBO Asia’s “Halfworlds Season 1”), Marthino Lio (“Sayang You Can Dance”), Michael Wahr (“City Homocide”), Edward Akbar (“Air Terjun Pengantin”), Jamie Aditya (“Sync or Swim”), Toshiji Takeshima (HBO’s “True Blood”), Joanne Kam (“Kopitiam”), Zack Lee (“The Raid 2”), Tom Dejong (“Medisch Centrum West”), Ully Triani (“Stay With Me”), Rick Paul Van Mulligen (“A’dam E.V.A.”), Alexandra Gottardo (“Tanah Air”), Hossan Leong (“The Forbidden City”) and Jimmy T (“Robocop 3”). Director and showrunner for GRISSE is Mike Wiluan (“Buffalo Boys”).
“We are delighted to once again bring together many talents from Asia to produce this adaptation of a historical tale of a small town in Indonesia. GRISSE promises to be action-packed with plot twists and interesting storylines that we hope will captivate our audiences in the region and beyond,” said Jonathan Spink, CEO of HBO Asia.
Series details provided by HBO in a recent press release.
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