Friendship knows no language.
This is one of the reasons why US teen drama Pretty Little Liars became such an international sensation.
In addition to the bumper ratings throughout its seven-season run, which ended in 2017, the drama about four estranged friends reunited by a mysterious villain spawned international adaptations in India and Turkey.
The latest territory to provide its own spin is Indonesia, which recently premiered on the online platform Viu.
Whether you are fan of the original or a newcomer, the bahasa Indonesia version is as entertaining as it is fascinating.
Not only do the panoramic shots of oceans and lush greenery of its Bali setting inspire serious travel envy, but some of the themes tackled also provide interesting insights into world’s most populous Muslim country.
Faithful but local
It’s also a showcase of talent from an industry that rarely receives international attention.
Then again, that is not something that would really bother Indonesian television creatives. With a population of 267 million people to service, the industry has been buzzing for decades.
As such, the industry has developed a no-nonsense approach to production. Case in point: this version of Pretty Little Liars was shot in true Indonesian style, with all 10 45-minute episodes shot in the space of 41 days.
“It was a challenge and you always have to come prepared,” confirms Shindy Huang, 25, who plays one of the four friends, Aria.
In addition to the tight schedule, Huang recalls the initial pressure of adapting such a much-loved series.
"In a way, I was expecting to be judged because many people have watched the original and already have a mental image of how everything is supposed to be and look like," she tells The National.
“But eventually, you just focus on the work. The show is pretty faithful in certain aspects and when it comes to my character, I remain loyal to her essence. But this version is localised, so what were are doing with our characters is showing them within an Indonesian context.”
This means certain hot-button societal topics were introduced, while certain themes from the original series were discarded or modified.
The series also has a strong anti-bullying message on and off-screen, with actors Anya Geraldine (Hanna), 24, and Yuki Kato (Alissa), 25, publicly detailing their experience of being bullied due to the former’s weight and the latter’s Japanese heritage.
It captures the spirit of Bali
When it comes to shooting in Bali, Huang says the island was not chosen for its idyllic surroundings.
Long viewed as a tourist and trade hub, the freewheeling vibes of the Balinese locale is in line with the carefree nature of the characters.
If the show was set in the more conservative Indonesian capital of Jakarta, she states, none of the characters would ring true.
“The show still has a lot of western touches,” Huang says. “And Bali has always been a place where people in Indonesia can be more expressive, daring and bold. That freedom of Bali is similar to the spirit of the characters of the show.”
While that is the case, Huang says there are still lines not to cross.
She details how the Indonesian version of Pretty Little Liars toned down the romantic scenes of the original in order to adhere to local customs.
“There is no PDA [public displays of affection] because the idea here is that these things should remain behind the curtain,” Huang says. “But everyone understands romance and love, so we translated that in a local way.”
A new opportunity for Indonesian talent
More than the significant online buzz at home and international audience on offer for Pretty Little Liars, what gives Huang the most satisfaction is the chance to shine among the pack.
If you are an actor in Indonesia, she says, then the hustle is real as it is an industry built on tight and enduring partnerships.
Huang hopes the arrival of Viu into the landscape can act as circuit breaker that shows local television and film executives the country is full of untapped talent.
“When it comes to my experience – and this just based on what I have seen – it is normally the same actors being cast because that’s what the market wants. So with platforms like Viu coming here, it gives us more of a chance,” she says.
“But at the same time, the industry is getting much healthier. Ten years ago, I would not have an opportunity to play this role, so it is getting better and better."
Pretty Little Liars is available to stream on Viu. More information is available at www.viu.com
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
BULKWHIZ PROFILE
Date started: February 2017
Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce
Size: 50 employees
Funding: approximately $6m
Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
The specs: 2018 Renault Koleos
Price, base: From Dh77,900
Engine: 2.5L, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 170hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 233Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.3L / 100km
The Energy Research Centre
Founded 50 years ago as a nuclear research institute, scientists at the centre believed nuclear would be the “solution for everything”.
Although they still do, they discovered in 1955 that the Netherlands had a lot of natural gas. “We still had the idea that, by 2000, it would all be nuclear,” said Harm Jeeninga, director of business and programme development at the centre.
"In the 1990s, we found out about global warming so we focused on energy savings and tackling the greenhouse gas effect.”
The energy centre’s research focuses on biomass, energy efficiency, the environment, wind and solar, as well as energy engineering and socio-economic research.
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This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh960,000
Engine 3.9L twin-turbo V8
Transmission Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Power 661hp @8,000rpm
Torque 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.4L / 100k
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The Disaster Artist
Director: James Franco
Starring: James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogan
Four stars
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
MATCH INFO
FA Cup final
Chelsea 1
Hazard (22' pen)
Manchester United 0
Man of the match: Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
A Long Way Home by Peter Carey
Faber & Faber
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UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
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The biog
Place of birth: Kalba
Family: Mother of eight children and has 10 grandchildren
Favourite traditional dish: Al Harees, a slow cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled cracked or coarsely ground wheat mixed with meat or chicken
Favourite book: My early life by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah
Favourite quote: By Sheikh Zayed, the UAE's Founding Father, “Those who have no past will have no present or future.”
Dubai Rugby Sevens
November 30, December 1-2
International Vets
Christina Noble Children’s Foundation fixtures
Thursday, November 30:
10.20am, Pitch 3, v 100 World Legends Project
1.20pm, Pitch 4, v Malta Marauders
Friday, December 1:
9am, Pitch 4, v SBA Pirates
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
