Oscar Winner Sean Baker Shares Why Indie Filmmakers Need Side Gigs to Thrive
The upcoming film Sandiwara, set to premiere next year, showcases the talents of Michelle Yeoh, who portrays five distinct characters. The film is written, edited, and directed by Baker, who is currently serving as the jury head at the Red Sea International Film Festival.
Reflecting on the project, Baker described the experience as “really wonderful.” He noted that it was filmed in Penang using iPhones, marking his first creative endeavor since his previous work, Anora.
Baker has also been in the spotlight for his remarks earlier this year at the Independent Spirit Awards, where he addressed the struggles faced by the independent film sector. In retrospect, he acknowledged that he would have “worded things differently.”
“I look back at that speech, and I think that I was talking to myself more than anybody else,” Baker reflected. He emphasized the need for realism in the ever-changing film industry. “I am an indie filmmaker trying to put work into the world that isn’t exactly mainstream accessible or friendly,” he explained. This realization has led him to consider alternative sources of income, including side gigs to support his filmmaking endeavors.
If given the chance to deliver that speech again, Baker said he would advise other filmmakers to “not just rely on your independent films because we’re not living in that time anymore.” He added, “It’s as simple as that. We’re not in the 90s, so we have to figure it out.”
Baker continued, expressing a collective responsibility among filmmakers to navigate the evolving landscape of independent cinema. “If we want to tell stories that the studios don’t want to tell or take risks, we’ll need to figure it out on our own,” he asserted.
Discussing his next feature, Baker revealed that it will be similar in scale to Anora and may explore comparable themes. “I would like to continue to lean into comedy a little bit more,” he said, indicating that his next project might have a more overt humorous tone. Baker hopes to commence production next year.
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