Sandiwara Trailer Teams Sean Baker and Michelle Yeoh
Fashion house self-portrait has released the official trailer and poster for the upcoming short film Sandiwara, which will premiere at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival on February 13.
In Sandiwara, Michelle Yeoh delivers a transformative performance amid Penang’s vibrant cityscape. In collaboration with Academy Award-winning director Sean Baker, Sandiwara delivers a bold, immersive celebration of womanhood, cultural identity, culinary heritage, and the spirit of independent cinema.
Sean Baker is presenting the film for self-portrait Residency. Named after the Malay word meaning “drama, theatrical performance or play,” the title of Sandiwara captures the essence and spirit of the film, which explores Malaysian culture through the lens of food, music, and womanhood.
Shot in Penang, Sandiwara stars Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh in the lead role/s.
Founded in 2013 by designer Han Chong, self-portrait has emerged as a leading modern fashion house based in London. Renowned for its contemporary occasion wear for both day and night, the brand is celebrated for its deep understanding and attention to structure and materials.
Born in Penang, Malaysia, Han Chong studied Fashion Design at Central Saint Martins in London. Fuelled by his own training at Central Saint Martins, Han is committed to supporting the next generation of creative talent and has established a five-year scholarship program with the college, offering financial support for five students to complete their MA and mentorship on navigating the realities of operating a fashion business.
In 2024, self-portrait Residency launched, a program that invites creatives from all disciplines to design for the brand using their own distinctive styles. This initiative aims to encourage best-in-class creativity by providing self-portrait’s infrastructure, platforms, resources, teams, and distribution network to spotlight and promote external creatives, offering them the freedom to dream and create.
Sean Baker is an Academy Award-winning filmmaker and a trailblazer in independent filmmaking. His latest film Anora (2024) won five Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing, and Best Actress for Mikey Madison. Baker is also known for his breakout film Tangerine (2015), shot entirely on an iPhone 5S, which was a milestone in indie film.
Baker’s sixth major feature, The Florida Project (2017), earned actor Willem Dafoe a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the Oscars, the Golden Globes, and the BAFTAs. His earlier projects, including Take Out, Prince of Broadway, and Starlet, laid the foundation for his distinctive style, noteworthy casting, and received both critical and festival acclaim.
Baker is a dedicated advocate for independent filmmaking, consistently reshaping storytelling with genuine and daring narratives, and is passionate about preserving Art House Cinemas in the U.S. and beyond.
