Michelle Yeoh And Sean Baker’s ‘Sandiwara’ : A new and exciting turn has come in the world of Hollywood. Academy Award winning actress Michelle Yeoh and Oscar winning director Sean Baker have come together to create a secret film called ‘Sandiwara’. This news is becoming increasingly viral and has become a topic of discussion among film lovers. The film is soon going to have its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) 2026, and the most interesting thing about it is that it has been shot entirely on an iPhone.
This is not just a film, but a unique experiment of the confluence of cinema and technology. Let us tell you in detail the entire story of this special project, the creativity behind it and all the exciting aspects related to it.
What is ‘Sandiwara’? full story of the film
‘Sandiwara’ is a short film set in the backdrop of a Malaysian night market. The film’s title is derived from a Malay/Indonesian word meaning “drama” or “performance”. This name fits the theme of the film perfectly.
Michelle Yeoh has played five different characters in this film. This is the biggest feature of this film. These five characters represent different aspects of Malaysian culture that are rarely seen in mainstream films. Each character has their own unique story, giving the audience a rich cultural experience.
Shooting the film is a return to Sean Baker’s old style. Baker is best known for his film ‘Tangerine’ (2015), which he shot on an iPhone 5s. With ‘Sandiwara’, he has again returned to his roots of innovative and accessible filmmaking.
The film will have its world premiere as a “special screening” at the Berlin Film Festival on February 13, 2026. Earlier, at the festival’s opening ceremony on February 12, Sean Baker will present Michelle Yeoh with the festival’s prestigious “Honorary Golden Bear for Lifetime Achievement”. Following the premiere, Yeoh and Baker will take part in a short talk on the film, followed by a screening of Yeoh’s Oscar-winning film Everything Everywhere All at Once.
Sean Baker and Michelle Yeoh : a unique collaboration between two Oscar winners
Behind the success of this project is the collaboration of two talented Oscar winners.
Sean Baker is counted among the most innovative and daring film directors of today. His 2024 film ‘Anora’ won the Oscar for Best Picture, and Baker himself took home awards for Best Director and Best Screenwriting. His specialty is bringing real, raw and often overlooked stories to the screen. Through his work, he gives voice to those parts of the society which usually do not find a place in films. Using an accessible device like the iPhone is part of their vision – to show that storytelling doesn’t need big budgets and heavy equipment.
We all know Michelle Yeoh. His brilliant performance in ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ not only won him an Oscar but also took his popularity to new heights across the world. Playing five different roles in one film is a big challenge for any actor, but Michelle Yeoh has played many such difficult characters well in his career. For Malaysian-born Yeoh, the film’s portrayal of Malaysian culture is also a personal and emotional project. It’s a return of sorts to his roots.
Both these actors have their own identity, and their union in ‘Sandiwara’ will definitely create something special. The combination of Baker’s documentary-style realistic direction and Michelle Yeoh’s unique acting abilities will give audiences a new and fresh experience.
The magic of technology : the iPhone’s role in filmmaking
There was a time when making high-quality films required expensive cameras, lenses and other equipment. But in today’s time, smartphones have changed the way filmmaking is done. Sean Baker has been one of the pioneers of this change.
Baker made ‘Tangerine’ in 2015, proving that an Oscar-worthy film could be made even on an iPhone. With ‘Sandiwara’, he is moving forward on this path. There are many advantages to making movies on iPhone:
- Flexibility and Mobility : Can be easily shot in small spaces, crowded places. This is ideal for a location like a night market.
- Less intrusive : Large cameras and equipment often become a barrier between the shooting location and the actors. Shooting with an iPhone makes the environment more natural and authentic.
- Cost Saving : This technology is a boon for new and independent filmmakers who want to tell good stories in a low budget.
However, it is important to note that just having an iPhone is not enough. It is very important to have a story, vision and technical skills behind it. Directors like Baker recognize the limitations of this technology and adapt it to their creativity. ‘Sandiwara’ will definitely open doors to new possibilities of mobile filmmaking.
Conclusion
The film ‘Sandiwara‘ is not just a short film, but it is a statement of the direction and possibilities of modern cinema. This film proves that great art doesn’t need big studios and crores of budgets. Only a committed artist, a visionary director and an accessible technology can do wonders.
As Berlin Film Festival 2026 is getting closer, the wait for ‘Sandiwara’ is increasing all over the world. It will be interesting to see how the film is received and what new chapter it adds to the careers of Sean Baker and Michelle Yeoh. One thing is certain, ‘Sandiwara’ is going to leave a special and indelible mark in the world of cinema.
