Indonesian horror often reflects deep societal fears, cultural beliefs, and the lived experiences of women. Folklore like Kuntilanak carries layers of meaning, often tied to grief, womanhood, and systemic struggles. Through animation, these stories can be reinterpreted, reclaimed, and told in new ways, blending tradition with modern creative expression.
Christie Widiarto is a lecturer, filmmaker, and researcher exploring the intersection of Indonesian folklore, grief, and feminism. Born in Indonesia, she moved to Australia at age two and grew up navigating multiple cultural identities. Her PhD research began with an article on Kuntilanak but soon became personal. She saw her own grief reflected in the legend, uncovering deeper themes of violence, loss, and resilience.
Christie joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast to talk about how animation can be a tool for cultural storytelling, her transition from coding to filmmaking, and how she’s working to bridge Indonesian traditional arts with modern animation. She also shares her vision for the future by learning from Indonesian animators, reimagining folklore, and finding new ways to tell stories that matter.
This episode is primarily delivered in English.
The views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast or any organisations they are affiliated with or mention.
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