Born from Mountains, Memories, and Loss: The Making of Petaka Gunung Welirang

JAKARTA, Jakartaweekly.com — A hiking experience, stories passed down among climbers, and a series of vivid dreams following a research trip became the foundation of the horror film Petaka Gunung Welirang. More than a tale of supernatural terror, the film serves as a tribute to hikers who never returned from their journeys.

The idea for Petaka Gunung Welirang originated from screenwriter Maya Azka’s passion for mountain climbing. Her visits to Mount Welirang in East Java—well known among hikers for the legendary Alas Lali Jiwo area—sparked her curiosity about the many stories circulating around the mountain.

That curiosity led her to conduct far more extensive research. Drawing from a combination of local folklore, firsthand observations, and personal experiences, Maya developed the narrative that ultimately became the basis for the film.

“This story was inspired by Mount Welirang, and for me, some of the experiences that happened there felt beyond logic,” Maya said during a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.

Beyond field research, a series of unforgettable dreams she experienced after returning from one of her research trips also influenced the screenplay’s creative development. Those dreams later inspired several elements that found their way into the final script.

After completing the screenplay, Maya shared the story with producer Chand Parwez Servia. Through a series of discussions, the producers came to see that Petaka Gunung Welirang offered far more than a conventional horror narrative.

Rather than focusing solely on fear and suspense, the script explores themes of loss, friendship, love, and the memories hikers leave behind for their families.

For Maya, the film carries a deeper meaning than simply telling a ghost story. She described Petaka Gunung Welirang as a tribute to those who never made it home from their journeys.

“I wrote this story for those who never returned, especially fellow hikers. The goal is not to reopen old wounds, but to pay tribute to them,” she said.

The Challenge of Bringing the Story to the Big Screen

Translating a story rooted in real hiking experiences into a feature film came with significant challenges for the production team.

Producer Mithu Nizar said that making a film set in mountainous terrain presented very different obstacles compared to shooting in urban areas. In addition to transporting cast and crew to relatively remote locations, the production required extensive logistical support.

“When filming takes place outside major cities, especially in mountainous regions, we need porters, forestry officers, and many other supporting personnel,” Mithu explained.

According to him, these logistical demands significantly increased production costs. Weather conditions also became one of the biggest hurdles throughout the shoot.

Sudden rainstorms and dense fog frequently disrupted the production schedule, at times forcing the crew to halt filming temporarily.

Director Indra Gunawan recalled moments when the fog became so thick that visibility was limited to just a few meters. Under such conditions, filming could not continue and the team had no choice but to wait for the weather to clear.

For some cast members, Petaka Gunung Welirang marked their first experience climbing a mountain. The unfamiliar environment presented its own physical challenges, while also strengthening the bonds between cast and crew during production.

Actor Antonio Blanco Jr. said portraying Satria demanded both emotional depth and physical endurance. At its core, he said, the film is a story about selfless love, friendship, and sacrifice.

For Giulio Parengkuan, an avid hiker who has climbed several mountains, the project offered a different kind of journey. While the cast never made it to the summit during filming, he said the bond that grew among the cast and crew became one of the experience’s most lasting memories.