Sean Baker, Michelle Yeoh's iPhone Film 'Sandiwara' to Premiere at Berlinale

Filmmaker Sean Baker and actress Michelle Yeoh have collaborated on a new project titled 'Sandiwara,' which will have its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival. The film marks a return to Baker's roots of shooting on an iPhone and is produced in partnership with the fashion brand Self-Portrait. Yeoh stars as five different characters in the story, which is set in a Malaysian night market and aims to explore facets of local culture. The Berlinale will also host a ceremony where Yeoh is to be presented with an Honorary Golden Bear for lifetime achievement.

Key Points: Sean Baker, Michelle Yeoh Film 'Sandiwara' Berlin Premiere

  • World premiere at Berlin Film Festival
  • Yeoh plays five distinct characters
  • Shot entirely on an iPhone
  • Collaboration with fashion house Self-Portrait
  • Explores Malaysian culture in a night market
2 min read

Sean Baker and actress Michelle Yeoh team up for new film to be showcased at Berlinale

Director Sean Baker teams with Michelle Yeoh for iPhone-shot film 'Sandiwara,' premiering at the Berlin Film Festival, where Yeoh receives an Honorary Golden Bear.

"moves beyond fashion and into the world of cinema and storytelling to capture the heart of Malaysian culture - Film Synopsis"

Los Angeles, Feb 5

Hollywood filmmaker Sean Baker and actress Michelle Yeoh are joining forces for a new project, which will world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival later this month.

The film titled 'Sandiwara' marks the return of the 'Anora' director to his iPhone-shooting roots. The film is touted to be an "immersive cinematic experience", reports 'Variety'.

The film is being made in collaboration with the London-based fashion house Self-Portrait. It's the first film from Self-Portrait's Residency program, which launched last year with the aim of inviting creatives "from all disciplines into the brand to design using their own distinctive style", the release states.

The initiative provides Self-Portrait's "infrastructure, platforms, resources, teams and distribution network to spotlight and promote external creatives, offering them the freedom to dream and create".

As per 'Variety', the film stars Yeoh as five different characters, and is set in a Malaysian night market.

A synopsis for the film states that it "moves beyond fashion and into the world of cinema and storytelling to capture the heart of Malaysian culture. Each character tells their own unique story and represents a facet of Malaysian culture rarely explored".

The film gets its title from the Malay word for "drama, theatrical performance or play" and was shot in Penang.

The Berlin Film Festival will host a special screening of 'Sandiwara' on February 13, followed by a conversation between the director and actor. Baker will also be on hand at the Berlinale's opening ceremony on February 12 to present Yeoh with this year's Honorary Golden Bear for Lifetime Achievement. The Berlin Film Festival runs from February 12 to February 22, 2026.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
Interesting collaboration between a fashion house and cinema. Reminds me of some experimental work done by Indian designers with filmmakers here. Hope it focuses more on the storytelling than just being a long advertisement for the brand.
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Rohit P
Sean Baker going back to iPhone shooting is cool. It shows you don't need a massive budget to tell a good story. Indian indie filmmakers should take note. Our local markets have so many untold stories waiting to be captured.
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Sarah B
The concept of exploring facets of culture "rarely explored" is what cinema should be about. We have similar rich, layered cultures in every Indian state that mainstream Bollywood often overlooks. More power to such projects.
V
Vikram M
Berlinale is a huge deal. Great to see Asian representation getting its due. Michelle Yeoh playing five characters is a massive challenge – her talent is undeniable. Hope it gets a streaming release in India soon.
K
Karthik V
While the initiative sounds noble, giving creatives "freedom to dream," I'm a bit skeptical. When a luxury brand funds art, the final product often serves the brand's image first. Let's hope the Malaysian culture isn't just a backdrop for fashion.

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