Private Project

Two Language and A Sausage

Bunga, an introverted translator, experiences flashbacks of past sexual trauma and the only person she could turn to for solace is Bintang, an erotic movie star.

This 15-minute drama aims to portray support and feeling of safety that are necessary to encourage sexual assault survivors to take the first step to address their trauma and decide to heal in their own pace.

Everyone involved in this project is a part of the movement in raising awareness of sexual assault issue. Our film crew consists of 60% female creatives as we aspire to set a precedent for women representation on and behind the screen.

  • Melarissa Sjarief
    Director
  • Widya Arifianti
    Writer
  • Melarissa Sjarief
    Writer
  • Annisa Adjam
    Producer
  • Runny Rudiyanti
    Key Cast
    "Bunga"
  • Nastiti Dewanti Basudewa
    Key Cast
    "Bintang"
  • Inteamates
    Executive Producer
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Psychology, Drama
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    September 15, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    1,358 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Indonesia
  • Country of Filming:
    Indonesia
  • Language:
    Indonesian
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Melarissa Sjarief

Melarissa Sjarief is an Indonesian writer and aspiring director who pursued her master’s in Screenwriting at New York Film Academy, Los Angeles as a Fulbright scholar. She believes directing is her vehicle to creatively contribute to opening conversations of important issues such as sexual assaults and women empowerment for a more inclusive society. Previously, Mela worked as a writer at a TV station, online media and a production company in Indonesia. She is now a freelance writer working on short movies, TV and web series, and commercials. Currently, she's in development for a TV series about sex education and an independent drama suspense feature film.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

'Two Language and a Sausage' draws upon our team's personal experience as survivors. When we realize each one of us deals with trauma differently - even in extreme ways - we believe it is important to share this story.

Sexual assault is one of the most underreported crimes. Often, survivors don't have the courage to disclose sexual assault for many years. Some people may never even disclose. Survivors have to deal with the trauma and emotional pain alone. Generally, shame, stigma, or even feeling they deserve what happened dominate them that they choose not to find support or help. There's no any two people in the world that deal with trauma the same way or in a set time frame.

Overall, 'Two Language and a Sausage' aims to portray support and feeling of safety that are necessary to encourage survivors to take the first step to address their trauma and decide to heal in their own pace.