Sean Baker Scraps Original Script for 'Sandiwara' Short Film Starring Michelle Yeoh

Director found new inspiration after arriving in Penang, Malaysia to shoot the fashion house collaboration.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Just 24 hours after arriving in Penang, Malaysia to shoot his new short film 'Sandiwara' starring Michelle Yeoh, director Sean Baker scrapped his original script which he describes as 'ridiculous' and 'exactly what someone from the outside would be writing from their couch in West Hollywood.' Baker says he immediately found new inspiration in Penang, which he calls 'one of the major foodie destinations in the world,' and rewrote the script.

Why it matters

This short film is part of a collaboration between director Sean Baker and fashion house Self-Portrait's Residency program, which aims to bring together artists from different disciplines to create without boundaries. Baker's decision to scrap his initial script and find new inspiration on location in Penang highlights his creative process and willingness to adapt to the environment and culture of the shoot location.

The details

Baker's original idea for the short 'Sandiwara' was a 'caper' that saw Yeoh 'running from some gangsters.' However, once he spent time in Penang, the director found new inspiration in the city's reputation as a major food destination and rewrote the script accordingly.

  • Just 24 hours after arriving in Penang, Malaysia, Baker threw out his initial script.
  • The short film 'Sandiwara' premiered on Friday at the Ritz Carlton in Berlin.

The players

Sean Baker

An Oscar-winning director who is collaborating with the fashion house Self-Portrait's Residency program on the short film 'Sandiwara' starring Michelle Yeoh.

Michelle Yeoh

An acclaimed actress starring in Sean Baker's short film 'Sandiwara.'

Self-Portrait

A fashion house that has launched a Residency program aimed at bringing together artists from all disciplines to create without boundaries, including the collaboration with director Sean Baker on the short film 'Sandiwara.'

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What they’re saying

“It was ridiculous. It was like exactly what someone from the outside would be writing from their couch in West Hollywood.”

— Sean Baker, Director (Variety)

“It was immediately apparent that this is one of the major foodie destinations in the world.”

— Sean Baker, Director (Variety)

The takeaway

Sean Baker's willingness to scrap his original script and find new inspiration on location in Penang, Malaysia for his short film 'Sandiwara' starring Michelle Yeoh demonstrates his creative flexibility and commitment to authentically capturing the culture and environment of the shoot location, rather than imposing an outside perspective.