Born to a devout Muslim family in Jakarta, Erwin became interested in journalism in 1984, and, after a time as a photographer, he interned at the weekly Editor.

After an extended series of trials Erwin was convicted by the Supreme Court of Indonesia and sentenced to two years in prison, beginning in October 2010.

In 2012 Erwin was nominated for a Citra Award for Best Director for his film Rumah di Seribu Ombak, based on a novel he had written in prison.

Erwin Arnada was born on 17 October 1963 to Amin Ismail, a Minangkabau trader and part-time journalist, and his wife.

Beginning when he was in junior high school Arnada helped the family with the shops, using his free time to read.

After viewing Roger Spottiswoode's 1983 film Under Fire, which followed an American photojournalist covering the Nicaraguan Revolution, Arnada applied to be a photographer for the daily newspaper Kompas.

After his application was refused, in 1986 Arnada found work with the Jakarta-based football team Persija Jakarta.

[2] After the closing of Bintang Milenia, Arnada began working with Indonesian filmmakers Rizal Mantovani, Jose Poernomo and Dimas Djayadiningrat to establish the production company Rexinema.

He considered the magazine more than "pornography", describing it as home to "edgy and award-winning journalism pieces" which he wanted to bring to Indonesia.

Instead, the models were fully clothed; the issue also included an interview with author Pramoedya Ananta Toer.

In one instance the Islamic Defenders Front attacked the Playboy Indonesia offices in South Jakarta, leading to the building being evacuated.

[7] Arnada released his novel Rumah di Seribu Ombak in early 2012;[7] it had been written while he was in prison.

It won four, including Best Editing and Best Screenplay;[10] Arnada lost the Best Director award to Herwin Novianto of Tanah Surga... Katanya (Land of Heaven...