STRANGERS IN SAMARA

A OWN SCRIPT

By

Melkisedek Notanubun
CHARACTERS

ELKI (A
MAN FROM
INDONESIA)

SEVINCH
HAZAN (A
KIND-
HEARTED
RUSSIAN
FEMALE)

SIHAM
(SEVINCH'S
BEST
FRIEND
FROM
MOROCCO

SEVINCH (A
KIND-
HEARTED
RUSSIAN
FEMALE)

MRS.
MADAGOV
A HAZAN
(SEVINCH'S
MOTHER)

Fade in—The camera pans gently over the bustling streets of Samara, Russia,
showcasing the vibrant and diverse community. The sounds of car horns,
chatter, and bustling footsteps can be heard in the background, creating an
atmosphere of energy and excitement. Overhead, the sun shines brightly,
casting warm and welcoming light. The view then fades into a cozy apartment
where Elki, Sevinch, Siham, and Mother Sevinch, from different backgrounds
but bound by circumstance, live together. Now, the camera shifts focus to the
inside of the cozy apartment that inside, the apartment is filled with a warm
and welcoming light, streaming through large open windows and casting a
gentle glow over every surface.

SCENE 1

(In the bustling city of Samara, Elki, a man from Indonesia, has just arrived
and is welcomed by Sevich, his roommate. Siham, Sevinch's best friend from
Morocco, and Mother Sevinch are also present.)

ELKI:(Anxious) It's a beautiful apartment, but I feel like a stranger. I

don't know anyone here.
SEVINCH: (Comforting) You're not a stranger anymore, Elki. You're part of me
now.
SIHAM: (Curious) Why did you come to Russia?
ELKI:(Stern) I'm seeking to escape from a corrupt government in my
country.
MOTHER SEVINCH: (Concerned) It's awful how people have to suffer because of
bad leadership.
Whatever happens, we have to be supportive.

Tensions begin to rise among the roommates as they watch the news.

ELKI:(Frustrated) The government is crushing our people. They're

using military power to silence us!
SEVINCH: (Defensively) Not everything the news says is true.
There are many sides to issues, and we should consider them all.
SIHAM: (Angry) That sounds like something a government sympathizer would
say!

The tension quickly escalates, and the roommates find themselves in a heated
argument.

MUSIC—up and under

Sevinch's Kitchen in the Evening. The roommates try to reconcile their

differences over dinner.

ELKI:(Remorseful) I didn't mean to cause problems. I'm just feeling

vulnerable and scared.
SEVINCH: (Understanding) We all have our struggles, Elki. But we have to find
solutions
that don't involve anger or violence.
SIHAM: (Agreeing) We need to work together to break down the
barriers that divide us,
to find common ground and trust each other.

Sevinch and Elki are sitting together, reflecting on their recent argument and
their cultural differences.

SEVINCH: (Calmly) Elki, I know you have a strong connection to your home
country, just like I do to mine.
 But we have to remember that our experiences are different.
We can't let them become barriers to friendship.
ELKI:(Finally seeing it) I understand, Sevinch. It's hard to let go of our past, but
we need to move forward.

Camera focuses on the living Room in the Evening ---The roommates gather in
the living room, and this time, they aren't watching the news.

SIHAM:(Smiling) I learned how to make a traditional Moroccan tea. Would

anyone like to try it?

ELKI: (Excitedly) Yes!

MUSIC up — Fade out

SCENE 2

ELKI: (excitedly) You know, in my hometown, Kei Islands, we have

this traditional dish called enbal. It's made from grated cassava
roots and cooked on a sagu mold. It's absolutely delicious!
And you can eat it with grilled fish or fish broth. We even have a
special variation called enbal keju, where we add cheese to the
recipe.
SEVINCH: (smiling) That sounds fascinating! In my family, we have a very
different culinary tradition.
We're Tar Tar tribe from Slavic, and we love our traditional Russian
dishes like borscht and blini.
SIHAM: (to Sevinch) Have you ever tried Moroccan cuisine?
We have amazing dishes like couscous and tagine. You'll love them!
MOTHER SEVINCH: (Nods approvingly) It's wonderful how we can share our
cultural traditions through food.
It brings people together, despite our differences.
ELKI: I love trying new dishes! In my country, we also have a tradition
of preparing food when building a new house or participating in
communal work with neighbors or the local community. It's a way
of fostering a sense of togetherness, and in the Kei language, it's
called "maren".
SEVINCH: (Interested) That's wonderful! In Russia, we also have a similar
tradition called “bliny week”.
We make pancakes for the whole family and share them with friends
and neighbors.
SIHAM: (Smiling) In Morocco, we have the tradition of hospitality.
When we have guests, we prepare traditional foods like lamb tagine or
chicken bastilla.
It's a way of expressing our respect and kindness.
 Later that evening, they're all gathered around the dinner table, savoring the
delicious meal they've prepared together.

ELKI: This is one of the best meals I have ever had! The combination of
the spices and flavors is just amazing! I would love to learn more
about Moroccan recipes. Siham, would you be willing to teach
me?
SIHAM: (Enthusiastically) Of course! I would be delighted to show you
how to make some of our traditional dishes.
MOTHER SEVINCH: (Proudly) I'm so grateful to have all of you here under my roof,
sharing your cultures
and traditions. It’s a beautiful thing.
SEVINCH: (Thoughtfully) You know, I was thinking about how our countries are
portrayed
in the media. Sometimes it's not accurate or fair.
But I think it's important to remember that behind the headlines and
news stories
are real people with their own unique experiences and stories.
ELKI: (to Sevinch) Exactly! And that's why it's so important to connect with
people from different
backgrounds. To learn and experience their traditions.

SIHAM: (Smiling) That's why I believe that traveling is one of the best ways to
broaden one's horizons. To see the world from different perspectives and learn
about different cultures.

MUSIC up — Fade out

The camera returns to the inside of the apartment, filling the screen with the
warm and inviting glow that has come to define it. The Russian folk music has
grown louder, filling the apartment with a cheerful and lively energy—As the
camera moves from room to room, glimpses of the roommates can be seen
laughing, cooking, dancing, and relaxing in each other's company.

SCENE 3

(Voices quiet down after a few seconds). Sevinch and Elki find themselves
sitting on Sevich's bed, engaged in a heartfelt conversation about their
personal challenges and the cultural differences they've experienced.

SEVINCH: I've noticed that you've been preoccupied with thoughts of war lately.
When we first met five semesters ago, you focused on studying in Aru Islands,
We shared our video activity everyday and you fully embraced our Russian
culture.
But after we lost contact, something seems to have changed.
How did you become involved with the groups caught up in the conflicts
between Russia and Ukraine?

ELKI:
(Laughing) Sevich, I want to assure you that I haven't joined any of those groups. It's
important for me to clarify that.

Sevinch and Elki sit on the balcony, gazing at the city lights, lost in deep
conversation.

SEVINCH: It's not a joke elki, you Growing up in a Christian Protestant household, I've
learned the significance of faith

and resilience. Similarly, I'm a Muslim and it has taught me the value of
forgiveness and avoiding actions

that may provoke others. It's not always easy, but these teachings have shaped me
into the person I am today.
ELKI:(Curious) Your resilience is truly inspiring. In Indonesia, we have a saying, "Ada air
adalah ikan,"
which means "where there's water, there are fish." It reminds us to adapt and find
opportunities even
in difficult situations. By the way, being a female, you may not fully grasp the
political complexities (laughs).
SEVINCH: (Speechless) Yoouu..!

As Sevinch and Elki continue their conversation, Sevinch's mother enters the
room. Sevinch falls into a momentary silence, glancing at Elki.

MOTHER SEVINCH: Am I interrupting the two of you?

ELKI: No, Mom. We were just having a conversation. We were discussing Sevinch's interest
in visiting the Kei Islands
for the Meti Kei festival next year.

Elki looks at Sevinch and adds,

ELKI:
Wouldn't that be amazing?
MOTHER SEVINCH: Oh, really? That sounds wonderful! My daughter will have the opportunity

to explore the beautiful Kei Islands.

SEVINCH: Yes, Mom. (smiling)

CONT'D