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A tender and humorous portrait of loneliness, motherhood, and a cat

At the post-screening Q&A session, director Putri, who helmed the short film Under the Whether, greeted the audience warmly.

“This story began when I noticed my mother talking to her cat whenever she felt lonely,” she shared with a gentle smile.

The film explores the delicate theme of menopause through the lens of a mother–daughter relationship.

“In my country, topics like menstruation and menopause are still considered taboo,” Putri explained.

“Women are expected to hide those experiences. But through my own and my mother’s stories, I wanted to face them honestly.”

The screenplay was co-written with her close friend Divina, based on their observations of her real-life family.

Initially written from an emotional place, the story evolved into a more reflective and compassionate work over time.

“It became a way for me to understand my mother,” she noted.

The film was shot over just two days, with veteran actress Mariam Suprava delivering what Putri called “a perfect performance — she felt like my real mother.”

On the other hand, the cat Chico, who plays a key role, required two months of casting.

“Finding the right cat was harder than finding the right actor,” Putri laughed.

“Eventually, we chose Chico — a male cat who had to play a female role. We even put him in a dress! He truly deserves an award.”

In the editing room, Putri worked closely with her editor to refine the pacing and emotional rhythm of the film.

“Editing is where I rediscover the story,” she said. “It’s about finding the emotional heartbeat of each moment.”

When asked about her next project, Putri revealed she is now preparing a new short film about AI and cybercrime, exploring the evolving relationship between humans and technology.

“It’s a very different theme from my last film, but it still deals with human connection,” she hinted.

With Under the Whether, Putri transforms deeply personal experiences into a universal and heartfelt story.

Her words — filled with honesty, humor, and empathy — reflect a filmmaker who approaches both life and art with remarkable sincerity.

“Under the Whether” is now available at the SSFF & ASIA 2025 Screening in Autumn Online Grand Theater till Nov.10.