When Yuni asked me to do the main trailer for SIFF,
I just have to say YES to it.
I thought about what I should come up with, especially it is the 21st year of the film festival (a year that signifies that the festival is fully "grown up" and ready to move on), I found myself staring at the ceiling and the four walls of my apartment (which happens to be my usual activity at home as well). I was not inspired.
[Time Lapse]
Yuni was very kind and patient. She did not bother me or ask how I was doing. In fact, I was actually in a semi-panic attack, the deadline is coming soon, and I have nothing. My mind a complete blank.
I told my Producer (Ivy) that I wanted to do something with bread. She growled at me, asking me what has a film festival gotta do with bread? I replied, "Nothing!" (" And Everything!" in hind sight).
She asked me with utmost concern, "Does Yuni know about this? Does she approve of it?" I shook my head.
[Time Lapse]
So, the trailer was shot and done. Just like that.
3 months of constipation. 3 days of work.
Finished. Done. Baked.
When I showed it to Yuni, observing her reaction,
I was really relieved that she liked it. No question asked.
Furthermore, Philip likes it too.
He said, "There is something about bread-making, it is sexy!".
Really, it is just not about bread or bread making.
It is about a tender moment between a father and a son.
Both working together, quietly. The close relationship between them.
The son brings in the coffee, the father sips the drink. Both hands are
busy kneading the dough, working hard for the day.
No words, no dialogue.
All that is needed to tell are in the silence of the film.
And then, it is also about bread and bread-making.
Traditional bread-making, one of the local vanishing trade,
still struggling to survive these days.
This trade has to be passed down to the next generation,
like the father passing on to his son.
Our local roti, something so common, so familiar,
so simple and humble but yet it satisfies our basic needs.
I thought about it if it should be like film.
This year, I do not have a cake to celebrate the 21st edition of SIFF.
I only have a humble bread to offer, with my heart and soul in it.
