'Buffalo Boys' Trailer: Singapore's Foriegn-Language Oscar Contender Is A Stylish, Bloody Take On The Western

This year’s Best Foreign Language Film category at the Oscars is going to be one of the most stacked in recent years. With almost 100 countries from around the world submitting films, the future nominees are sure to be some of the best films of the year, period. And Singapore isn’t about to be left out, as they are submitting “Buffalo Boys” for consideration, and if the trailer is any indication, it looks like the film might get some interest from the Academy.

Judging by the new trailer, “Buffalo Boys” looks to take all the action and style from Asian cinema and filter through a distinct Western genre lens. There’s gunfights, heroes and villains, and plenty of Western tropes that you come to expect from films in the genre, but “Buffalo Boys” adds a layer of style and grace seen in some of the best examples of recent Asian films.

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The film follows the tale of a group of heroes coming back to their small Indonesian village hellbent on revenge for the death of their father. Using skills acquired from the American Wild West, the trio of Arana, Jamar, and Suwo face the villainous Captain Van Trach and his Dutch soldiers.

And all that comes from first time director Mike Wiluan, who is probably best known as a producer on films like “Hitman: Agent 47” and the recent smash hit “Crazy Rich Asians.” “Buffalo Boys” stars Yoshi Sudarso, Ario Bayu, Pevita Pearce, Tio Pakusadewo, Conan Stevens, and Reinout Bussemaker.

“Buffalo Boys” will hit theaters on January 11, 2019.

Here’s the synopsis:

In 19th Century Java, a brutal massacre and the murder of Sultan Hamza by Captain Van Trach and his Dutch soldiers force Arana, Jamar and Suwo – the sultan’s brother and infant sons – to flee the country, bringing them halfway around the world to the American Wild West. After working the railroads and learning the cowboy way of life, Arana tells the boys it’s time to return to their homeland and avenge their father’s death. Back on Indonesian soil, the hunt for their father’s killer begins. Along the way, they meet some villagers including Kiona, the rebellious and beautiful headman’s daughter who Suwo falls for, and soon find out that the treacherous Van Trach still rules the area. Their presence puts the village in danger, quickly turning their quest for revenge into a fight for freedom. With the odds stacked against them, Arana, Jamar and Suwo use the skills they learned from the wilds of America to face Van Trach and his army in a showdown for justice.