Gadis Kretek is Netflix’s first Indonesian series, adapted from Ratih Kumala’s 2012 best-seller. The story centers on Soeraja (Ario Bayu), the owner of a major kretek company, who, on his deathbed, asks his son Lebas (Arya Saloka) to find a woman named Dasiyah (Dian Sastro). Lebas’s search uncovers not only his father’s love story but also the secrets behind their kretek company.

Directed by Ifa Isfansyah and Kamila Andini, the series took almost a year to produce, including over 500 VFX shots across 5 episodes. Dreamcatchers Studio, the main VFX team, was deeply involved in the production, contributing to the development of VFX shots during both on-set and post-production phases. The team also had the opportunity to engage with prominent industry figures, including the head of Netflix Indonesia and Singapore.

Despite the challenging 3-month timeline—half the usual 6-month duration—Dreamcatchers Studio successfully completed the project. The tight schedule made even simple techniques difficult and turned complex ones into a rewarding experience.