Movie

Ulya & Dini

2022

A quiet, earnest character study that sits with discomfort and slowly reveals the gap between a polished public self and private struggle.

Overview: # The Story of Ulya This tells the story of Ulya, who used to be overweight and was frequently bullied by Lin, the daughter of cosmetics entrepreneur Umi Yana, and Dini, the older brother of her best friend Hamdan. After her father's death, Ulya continues her studies in the United States. There, her life changes after she successfully loses weight and becomes a lifestyle and health influencer with 80,000 followers from around the world. Ulya's followers admire her, but they don't know that Ulya actually has mental health issues. She struggles with bulimia and panic attacks that she thought were under control but actually aren't. After completing her Bachelor's degree, Ulya has the opportunity to pursue graduate studies but is forced to return to Malaysia to help her mother sell their house. Although Ulya is reluctant because she remembers her mother giving little attention to her and her younger sister Najwa, Ulya returns to Malaysia anyway.
How it feels: Melancholic, tense, earnest and dark. Measured and needs your attention.
About: Identity, trauma, family, isolation
Content: Mild violence and language. No gore or sexual content.
Note: Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown