PKG: Surabaya’s ‘Haunted Mansion"/Silkina Ahluwalia/Jakarta Pkg

Surabaya’s ‘Haunted Mansion"/Silkina Ahluwalia/Jakarta Pkg

Commissioned: BJ-Biz/AT/GN-Confirmed

Assigned: Oct. 13 Joey/CE Li Xiang

ETA: Oct TBC

Air Date: TBC

Pitch: Sutikno Djijanto was born and raised inside Surabaya's 'Haunted Mansion', an abandoned building that has become a shelter for hundreds of many Indo-Chinese ethnics who are still hiding from racism in the city. Sutikno is the grand-son of Handoko, the first man who was in charge of the community inside this hideout building. For 63 years, Sutikno has never lived outside the 'Haunted Mansion', and has witnessed generations grow inside the place. Indonesia’s largest political conflict towards the country’s communist party in 1948 and 1965 brought Indo-Chinese ethnic community scrutinised by both the people and authorities back then; accused for being a communist and discriminated against by the public law. Until today, the community isolated and built themselves their own society inside this centuries old 'Haunted Mansion'. In total, four generations have lived and grown up in the building. More than 50 families live there by donations and eating meals from their own collective kitchen. For prayers, the community has built their own temples for various religions inside; from Christian Church to Kong Hu Cu temple. Founded by a Chinese doctor, Dr. Teng Khoen Gwan, in 1945, the building was intended to become a funeral home for Chinese families. However, due to the roaming public threat, Teng Khoen Gwan then opened the gate for every Indo-Chinese in East and Central Java to hide from conflicts around the area. After leaving Indonesia, the doctor mandated Sutikno's grandfather to take over the community. Sutikno then inherited the role of his fathers and became head officer for the Surabaya 'Haunted Mansion' in 2012.

Elements: Interview with head of Surabaya’s Haunted Mansion, Interview with residents of the Haunted Mansion, shots of the haunted mansion, etc.

Travel: None, we will hire a crew in Surabaya.