PANGERAN LANTANG

It’s always great to reconnect with old friends, and this time, DAMAN touched base with young actor Pangeran Lantang. We initially met him in 2022 when he graced the pages of our June/July issue of that year. During our first conversation, Pangeran shared insights about his role in the 2021 web series “Antares,” his journey as a YouTuber and his passion for soccer.

Two years later, fate brought us back together, this time for a photoshoot with Jerome Kurnia. During a short break between shots, we sat down with the 23-year-old actor to catch up and learn about how far he’s moved on since our last conversation, and especially about his latest film project, “Pasar Setan.”

DAMAN: Let’s talk about your upcoming horror movie, “Pasar Setan,” which is supposedly inspired by a real-life story. What was it like working on this one?

Pangeran Lantang: “Pasar Setan” is a mockumentary, so it came with special treatment. There is a foundfootage element in it and we had to use action cameras during filming. In fact, it was the first time I shot with an action camera. I had to use the camera and “face” the ghosts directly, as if they were in front of my eyes. It felt so real.

DA: Can you tell us a bit about “Pasar Setan” itself? The premise, for one... PL: “Pasar Setan” centers around a group of four vloggers who specialize in ghost hunting. They venture to an area in Mount Salak believed to be the site of the devil’s market. With hopes of making a video that will go viral, they document their expedition. They explore the area and, to their surprise, encounter real ghosts.

DA: Tell us about your character in “Pasar Setan,” Yunus...

PL: Yunus is truly the opposite of me. Our appearances are also different. In the film, Yunus is in charge of videography; he’s the one handling the action camera. He’s also a friend of Tamara [played by Audi Tamara], whose producer, Kevin [played by Roy Sungkono] invites him to work together. Basically, Yunus is a nice and hardworking guy, but he is weakwilled. He does nothing when Tamara is mistreated by her producer and he just doesn’t know where to go. He joins the expedition just because of the money.

DA: What would you say were some of the most memorable moments from filming “Pasar Setan”?

PL: We spent 14 days camping in the foothills of Mount Pangrango. Filming was physically draining, but my fellow cast members were very supportive and professional. This really helped me out and, in the end, I didn’t really feel that tired. I think it’s important to have supportive cast. Also, the cold was memorable. The temperature dropped to around eight or nine degrees Celsius ... it was really cold!

DA: How do you prepare yourself before playing a new character?

PL: I am lucky to have enough spare time after a project ends, and participating in filming workshops during this period helps me switch into different characters. I also learned about the triad of self-actorcharacter. Right now, I am being myself. However, when I step onto the set, I transform into an actor because my job is to act. On set, I am a character. And once I am back home, I return to my true self. This is the key principle I have always held on to. Sure, there were times I couldn’t drop off a character, and as a result, I became reclusive or stressed out. In times like that, I would go to somewhere secluded—like a mountain or a waterfall.

DA: We first had the chance to talk to you back in 2022. How has your acting journey progressed in the two years since then?

PL: I began my career as an actor in 2021. Long story short, after going through a series of struggles and moments of self-discovery, I decided to pursue acting that year. And I told God that I am willing to show my commitment and be consistent. Thankfully, since then, I have always found projects and film offers.

There has, of course, been some improvement since our first meeting. Perhaps most importantly: I used to be camera-shy, but I learned to just forget about the camera. Now, the camera is my friend.

DA: What are the most rewarding things about being an actor?

PL: I’ve made new friends, met extremely talented people who have had far more experience than myself and gained new knowledge. Through acting and the people involved in the business, I learned that, well, life is hard. If we just play around and stay demotivated, we are not going to survive. The thing is, we have to survive and be independent. I have met new people who taught me to keep trying and fight on ... and I am very grateful for that.