W. G. Nafisa Sukmana

This story is inspired by my personal experience with my younger sibling when our grandfather passed away in October last year. While we were in different places and sharing our grief over a video call, I listened to my sibling talk about how, during the third day of the tahlilan, they felt an overwhelming sadness and wished they could take a moment to rest and process their emotions. At the same time, they were expected to help the family wrap food for the guests.

I combined this experience with my interactions with Deaf friends in Tasikmalaya and in London. After spending three years befriending Deaf friends in Tasikmalaya and eight months with the Deaf community in London, I heard many stories about how difficult it can be for Deaf individuals to communicate and blend in during large family gatherings.

Bringing these two experiences together in this film aims to raise awareness about the lives of Deaf people—who, just like hearing people, experience grief when they lose a family member. The difference is that they often struggle to express their feelings and needs. This film is very meaningful to me personally, because it is so closely connected to my own life. I want to share these emotions with the audience, who may have gone through similar moments of grief, to remind them that their feelings are valid and that everyone has their own way of moving through loss.

The making process of scriptwriting.

My process of Scriptwriting