I directed and edited the film as my capstone at the Los Angeles Film School, where it was selected as the school’s official submission to the 2025 Student Academy Awards. I collaborated closely with screenwriter Candra Aditya, an award-winning Indonesian filmmaker, and led the edit with mentorship from Mark Helfrich, ACE, whose guidance helped shape the film’s internal rhythm. The film stars Runny Rudiyanti, a rising Indonesian actress (JAFF Reel Camp 2025, Netflix Indonesia), and Samuel Selman, an African American actor known for The Little Mermaid (2024). Their pairing allowed me—as an Indonesian American director—to explore the complexity of a cross-cultural relationship told through two marginalized lenses. It’s a story about connection, but also silence. Love, but also cultural residue. That tension drives every frame. I worked closely with my DoP to emulate Arri Alexa using Sony FX9/F55 cameras and led all post-production through to festival prep. This piece reflects the kind of director I strive to be—visually grounded, emotionally precise, and committed to telling stories that hold cultural nuance without compromise.
