A new project secretly teaming up Oscar winners Sean Baker and Michelle Yeoh is set to have its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival later this month.
In collaboration with London-based fashion house Self-Portrait, the ‘Anora’ director returns to his iPhone-shot roots to create ‘Sandiwala’, which is described in a press release as an ‘immersive cinematic experience’. The film is the first film in Self Portrait’s residency program, which was launched last year to “invite creators from all walks of life to join the brand and design using their own unique styles,” the release states. The initiative will provide Self-Portrait with “the infrastructure, platform, resources, team, and distribution network to spotlight and promote external creatives and give them the freedom to dream and create.”
Sandiwala, in which Yeoh stars as five different characters, is set in a Malaysian night market and, according to the synopsis, “goes beyond fashion and into the world of film and storytelling, capturing the heart of Malaysian culture.” “Each character tells a unique story and represents a side of Malaysian culture that is rarely explored.” The film’s title is derived from the Malay word meaning “drama, play, play” and was filmed in Penang.
The Berlin Film Festival will hold a special screening of Sandiwala on February 13th, followed by a discussion between the director and the actors. Mr Baker will also attend the opening ceremony of the Berlinale on February 12 to present Mr Yeo with this year’s honorary lifetime achievement Golden Bear Award.
The Berlin Film Festival will be held from February 12th to 22nd.
Check out Yo’s first look in ‘Sandiwara’ below.
Michelle Yeoh in Sean Baker’s Sandywala.
