Global Constellation Sells Haunted Indonesian Show ‘Heaven’s Gate’
International sales and financing company Global Constellation has recorded a five-episode limited series, “Heaven’s Gate,” for worldwide sale. The company is presenting the series to international buyers for the first time during Series Mania.
Set in dual timelines in 1942 and the mid-1990s, ‘Heaven’s Gate’ follows Saskia, a woman who travels to Indonesia with her teenage daughter Alex after inheriting a long-abandoned plantation called Heaven’s Gate. What starts as a practical decision quickly evolves into a haunting journey into hidden secrets of her family’s colonial history. Saskia relives the life of Anisa, a Javanese woman in 1942 – involved in a love triangle with plantation owner Jan Stokman and his wife Marie.
As Saskia is consumed by these visions, Alex fears for her mother’s sanity and struggles to keep her grounded. Determined to uncover the plantation’s secrets, Saskia risks losing herself completely in its terrifying history.
The show, the first official television co-production of the Netherlands and Malaysia, is directed by Jim Taihuttu (“The East”, “Hardcore Never Dies”, “Wolf”) and Lisette Donkersloot (“Sihame”). It was written by Jim Taihuttu together with Randy Oost (“Mocro Maffia,” “Suga: Ride or Die”), Amira Duynhouwer (“Nemesis,” “Mocro Maffia”) and Victor D. Ponten (“Mocro Maffia,” “Rabat”).
The cast includes Denise Aznam (“The East”, “Ninja Nanny”), Anneke Sluiters (“Heresy”), Gijs Naber (“The Night Manager”, “The Story of My Wife”), Bront Palarae (“Ghost in the Cell”, “Satan’s Slaves”, “Rajah”) and Abimana Aryasatya (“The Night Comes for Us”, “The Big 4”).
Production is underway in Malaysia and delivery is scheduled for early 2027.
The series is produced by New Amsterdam Film Company, co-produced by Kinovisuals, and commissioned by the Dutch Public Broadcaster NPO and NTR.
The production is supported by the Netherlands Film Production Incentive, the National Public Broadcasting Fund (NPO Fund) and the Film in Malaysia Incentive (FIMI), managed by Perbadanan Kemajuan Filem Nasional Malaysia (FINAS).
“Heaven’s Gate” joins Global Constellation’s growing and diverse TV and film lineup, including the fantasy drama series “All Heroes Are Bastards,” written and directed by Esra and Patrick Phul, and the International Emmy Award-winning animated docuseries “On Fritzi’s Trace – What Was It Like in the GDR?” and ‘The Education of Jane Cumming’ by Sophie Helman.
Ulrike Schröder, managing director of TV at Global Constellation, said: “’Heaven’s Gate’ brings a distinctive international perspective, weaving historical and colonial stories that resonate with global audiences and reflect the stories that Global Constellation stands for. Jim Taihuttu, Lisette Donkersloot and the wider team are exceptional talents, and we are excited to present this bold new series to international partners for the first time at Series Mania, where we have a strong and meaningful cross-market attraction.”
Sander Verdonk, producer and founder of New Amsterdam Film Company, said: “Securing Global Constellation for international sales is a testament to the universal appeal of ‘Heaven’s Gate.’ This series defines our ambition to reach a broad audience with high-quality, author-driven content. We look forward to introducing this distinctive intersectional perspective to international partners at Series Mania as production continues in Malaysia.”
