Film 'WHEN I SPEAK' Premieres After a 6-Year Wait, Script Changed Up to 18 Times

Kapanlagi.com - The production house Arjuna Mega Films is ready to release its latest feature film titled WHEN I SPEAK, which has undergone a very lengthy production process. The screenwriter Tisha TS admitted that she had to go through dozens of revisions to perfect this legal drama story.

"Hello, first I want to say thank you so much for coming because today is very special, we are not just watching a film for entertainment but we are witnessing the return of the movement to make people stop being silent," said Tisha TS when met in the Senayan area, Central Jakarta, Sunday (14/6/2026).

1. The Challenge of Developing a Sensitive Story Idea

Press Conference WHEN I SPEAK © KapanLagi.com/Sahal Fadhli

Tisha TS, who usually writes in the young adult romance genre, felt challenged when asked to develop this very sensitive story idea. She conducted research for two years by taking a personal approach to several survivors of sexual violence.

"Just like Tisha, we designed that scenario for 2 years. So because, eh, we wanted to start filming in 2020, if I'm not mistaken. Well, we started shooting in 2018 to start designing the story. It took how many drafts, yeah, 18 drafts if I'm not mistaken," said director Sonu S.

2. Hindered by the Covid-19 Pandemic

The filming process for this movie took up to four years due to the Covid-19 pandemic that hit Indonesia. The entire production team was committed to not discarding any scenes that had been carefully planned from the beginning.

"Uh, cut scenes? The cut scenes, eh, during filming, every scene that I shot seems to be in that film, none were discarded. They might be shortened, but if they were cut and thrown away, no," he said.

3. Resistance Against Injustice

Press Screening WHEN I SPEAK OUT © KapanLagi.com/Sahal Fadhli

The background of the issue in this film highlights a culture of silence that silences the voices of victims to protect the family's reputation. The character Nadia, played by Marshanda, becomes a symbol of resistance against the injustices faced by many women.

"We have this idea, so there is one that why not we raise the point that if women speak out or if they rise up, then this will become a different phenomenon," she said.

4. Hope Drives Real Change

Director Sonu S. emphasizes that this film does not only highlight traumatic experiences but also the empathy and support of family. The producers hope this film can encourage real change in the way society views cases of harassment.

"Hopefully, with the existence of the film WHEN I SPEAK OUT, we expect more voices to come forward," he said.

"There are no scenes that we overshoot or anything that we need to discard, and there are none of those," he concluded.

5. Synopsis of the Film 'WHEN I SPEAK'

Cast of the Film WHEN I SPEAK © KapanLagi.com/Sahal Fadhli

Nadia (Marshanda) is a successful lawyer whose life is shattered after becoming a victim of rape while trying to help her friend. Amidst a biased legal system and pressure from her father who wants to cover up the family disgrace, Nadia fights to break the silence through the #NoMoreSilence movement to seek justice for herself and other survivors.

6. Showtimes in Theaters

The film WHEN I SPEAK will be showing in theaters starting June 18, 2026.

(kpl/aal/rsp)