Bride Sees Ghosts, Joins Polygamous Family

Indonesian director Mouly Surya is developing a new project, tentatively titled "The Wife Who Can See Dead People (Or Jinn)." This film centers on Gadis, a 20-year-old woman who becomes the fourth wife in a polygamous household.

Gadis confides in her husband, Abi, about seeing ghosts, but he explains that in Islam, these are jinn. She develops a close relationship with Indah, the third wife, and her young son Firman. Indah mentors Gadis in managing the household and their shared marital life.

The story intensifies when Firman disappears while Abi is abroad. Gadis, with the help of spectral beings, aids Indah in the search. The discovery of the boy's body by a river creates a rift between the wives, challenging their sisterhood against their husband's wishes and religious traditions.

Surya draws inspiration from her personal experiences with polygamous families and a friend who claims to see ghosts. The film navigates societal contradictions in Indonesia, where Islam is dominant yet the Quran doesn't explicitly detail ghosts. Indonesian law also complicates polygamous unions permitted by scripture.

Producers Gita Fara and Rama Adi aim for an intimate, mature drama retaining Surya's visceral style. They intend to portray polygamy beyond stereotypes, focusing on the complex relationships, rivalries, and sisterhood among the women, as well as the husband's struggle to maintain fairness.

The project is currently in mid-development, with a screenplay draft complete and the team seeking financing and co-production partners. The producers plan to present the film at the Asian Project Market in Busan to find international collaborators.