Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh and acclaimed director Sean Baker (known for Anora) have teamed up for an exciting new short film project titled Sandiwara. What makes this collaboration particularly special is that the entire film was shot on location in Penang, Malaysia.
A Groundbreaking Malaysian Creative Partnership
Written, edited, and directed by Sean Baker, Sandiwara marks his first creative output since his multi-Oscar-winning film Anora. Baker expressed immense satisfaction with the experience of filming in Malaysia.
“It was a really wonderful experience,” Baker shared. “It was shot in Penang on iPhones… and it was my first creative outlet since Anora.”
The film was commissioned for the luxury fashion label Self-Portrait, which was founded by Penang native and designer Han Chong. This deep connection to Malaysia allowed Baker to pursue a unique, culturally rich vision.
He highlighted that the project goes beyond typical fashion film conventions:
“We were able to celebrate Malaysian culture in a big way… and create a film that goes beyond traditional fashion-and-cinema integration.”
Michelle Yeoh’s Five Distinct Roles
A highlight anticipated by fans is Michelle Yeoh’s transformative performance. The Oscar-winning superstar reportedly takes on five different characters in the short film. Given Yeoh’s reputation for boldness and versatility, audiences can expect a stylish and refreshingly unexpected cinematic experience.
What We Know About the ‘Sandiwara’ Release
Anticipation is building for the release of Sandiwara, which is currently slated to debut in early next year.
The combination of Michelle Yeoh’s global star power and Sean Baker’s signature indie-driven creativity positions Sandiwara as a must-watch—especially for audiences in Malaysia eager to see Penang celebrated on the global stage.
