Indonesian filmmaker Ismail Basbeth‘s psychological horror feature “The Most Mysterious Man” (local title: “Raib”) has landed co-financing from Malaysia’s Phoenix Films Sdn Bhd, with the deal finalized during JAFF Market 2025.
The agreement was signed at the Indonesian Ministry of Culture Booth by Ruang Basbeth Bercerita, the media and publishing company founded by Ismail Basbeth and producer Lyza Anggraheni. The project marks the first fully original concept from Ismail Basbeth developed from inception under the duo’s producer-director partnership.
“The Most Mysterious Man” follows a craftsman devoted to his wife and three children whose life unravels when he returns home to find another family living in his house and his loved ones missing. As he searches for answers, no one in his village recognizes him despite his lifelong residence there, sending him spiraling into paranoia and violence.
Anggraheni developed the story alongside the director over seven months at Busan Asian Film School. The project previously earned the TAICCA Award at the Asian Contents & Film Market during the Busan program in 2024, and was selected for the Asian Producers Network 2024 at the Singapore International Film Festival.
Anggraheni won the MTN Development Fund from Indonesia’s Ministry of Culture in October for her separate project “The Light of Fire.” She has been developing “The Most Mysterious Man” through the Talents Tokyo 2023 program.
Ruang Basbeth Bercerita will produce in co-production with Matta Cinema Production and Phoenix Films Sdn Bhd. The project is seeking additional co-production and international distribution partners ahead of a planned 2026 production start.
Basbeth’s “Sara” premiered at the Busan International Film Festival and earned him the best director Award at JAFF 2023. He is currently shooting “My Own Last Supper.”