“Sensual debut powered by sights of spicy delicacies and sounds of lovelorn music.”
THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
“A new realization of our uniqueness and peculiarities. Sayang Disayang is truly a transcendental Southeast Asian film.”SALAMINDANAW ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL“Lyrical, beautiful, enchanting.”HAWAII INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL“Sanif Olek’s Sayang Disayang (Singapore) …chooses woman as the core narrative. Interestingly... uses culinary metaphors to tell the story about families and its sorrows and wounds. The task of women ...goes beyond just serving food on the table, a common view of the obligation of women in Asia.”Jogja-NETPAC ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL
10 years ago, Sayang Disayang opened nationally during National Day week at The Arts House after its World Premiere at the Salamindanaw Asian Film Festival, Philippines (Jury Prize - Best Asian Film). The film returns to the big screen in 2024 during National Day courtesy of The Asian Film Archive.
The idea for the film, originally titled Ramuan Rahasia, began in 2001. While a lot of films about food were made in China, South America, India, France, Spain… no one had done any film about food from the Nusantara - the collective lands of the Malay Archipelago. Thus began my adventure to explore the soul of Nusantara dishes. The sambal goreng struck me as the dish that embodies the Nusantara.
The indie route was not easy but I am glad I took this road. While many just talk about making a feature-length, only a handful walk the talk. It’s something they don’t teach in film schools. It’s not about the red carpets and awards. I learn about people - the doers, ones that stood by you and always have your back, including ones who questioned constantly yet stuck around until the film wrapped. There were also the fairweather ones and those who stayed just to see you fail. All in just one indie film set!
Singapore’s Official Selection to the 87th Oscars. Truly humbled and proud at the same time how this low-key, indie film has done over the years.
Thank you for this journey, Sayang ❤️
