VATERLAND
Berthold Wahjudi
Germany/Indonesia
When the German-Indonesian Yanto (late 20s) travels to Yogyakarta to visit his younger sister, feelings of envy arise as she fits in better than he does.
SYNOPSIS
Told in four chapters, the story follows Yanto, a German-Indonesian in his late 20s. Each chapter centers around a photo or video that triggers feelings of exclusion or belonging. From a racial profiling incident on a German train to awkward encounters in Indonesia, Yanto grapples with identity and acceptance. A visit to his aunt brings a rare sense of home. Back in Germany, a social media post lets him see himself with humor — and perhaps belonging. A story about siblings, home and the dynamics of othering and belonging for mixed-raced people.
INTENTION
The idea for the film was sparked by a photo of me surrounded by Indonesian schoolboys eager to take a picture with a “Bule” (a white foreigner). A friend of mine took the photo. My facial expression betrays how hilariously uncomfortable I am with the situation. As a mixed-raced person, I am often seen as a foreigner in Germany, despite my name and upbringing. In Indonesia, I am perceived as white — a tourist, a Westerner, a privilegeholder. This shifting perception depending on context is disorienting, sometimes painful, often funny. The film is my way of unpacking the inner conflict of belonging, identity and privilege. It reflects a larger silence in German society, where we lack the language to even talk about mixed identities without invoking our dark past. While stories by and about People of Color are gaining visibility, mixed-race perspectives remain underrepresented. Vaterland aims to challenge essentialist ideas of race and nationhood, using humour and comedy as a critical tool.
DIRECTOR
Berthold Wahjudi
Berthold Wahjudi is a German-Indonesian filmmaker. His short Summer Hit screened at SXSW and won awards at Palm Springs Shortfest and Premiers Plans. It has over 10 million views online. As a screenwriter, he has worked on various TV projects, including 30 Days Lust (Series Mania). Alongside Vaterland, he is developing his first feature film with If…Productions (The Teacher’s Lounge) through Torino Film Lab.
PRODUCER
Jonas Egert
Jonas Egert & Sylvain Cruiziat founded madfilms in 2021, producing Boyz (IDFA Special Mention 2023) and Ping Pong Paradise (Dok.Fest Munich 2025). Jonas also produces at If…Productions, and Sylvain works with Coproduction Office.
PRODUCER
Sylvain Cruizia
Jonas Egert & Sylvain Cruiziat founded madfilms in 2021, producing Boyz (IDFA Special Mention 2023) and Ping Pong Paradise (Dok.Fest Munich 2025). Jonas also produces at If…Productions, and Sylvain works with Coproduction Office.
Genre
Dramedy, Coming of age
Length
25 min
Language
English, German, Indonesian, Javanese
Shooting location
Yogyakarta, Indonesia and Munich, Germany
Production company
madfilms (Germany), Aftersun (Indonesia)
Estimated budget
€ 187.000
Secured funding
German Public Broadcaster “Bayerischer Rundfunk” - € 21.000, University of Television & Film Munich - €48.000
Looking for
Coproducers, Sales, Distribution