Religious-Cultural Short Film · Completed Film · 2016
A 30-minute short film about Sampel, a Minahasan university student who works producing Cap Tikus and nearly abandons his studies because he cannot afford to complete them.
About the Film
A Story of Work, Education, and Sincere Giving
Upus is a religious-cultural short film rooted in the everyday life of Tou Minahasa.
The film brings together themes of education, hard work, simplicity, local wisdom, Christian service, generosity, and love within the life of a village community.
At the centre of the story are Sampel, a young university student, and Kostor Alo, his uncle and a church sexton whose quiet act of giving changes Sampel’s future.
Logline
A university student who works producing Cap Tikus is close to abandoning his studies because of financial hardship, until an anonymous gift from his church-sexton uncle gives him the opportunity to complete his education.
Synopsis
A Gift Known Only to God
Sampel is a young Minahasan university student whose life is divided between study, family responsibilities, and work producing Cap Tikus.
As the cost of completing his education becomes increasingly difficult to meet, he comes close to dropping out of university.
Kostor Alo, Sampel’s uncle, is also living with limited economic means. He works hard, serves as a church sexton, and understands the struggle of sustaining everyday life.
Despite his own difficulties, Kostor Alo secretly gives Sampel money to help him complete his studies. He deliberately does not want Sampel to know where the assistance came from.
For Kostor Alo, a sincere offering does not need to be announced or celebrated publicly. It is enough for God to know who gave it and why.
The anonymous gift eventually enables Sampel to continue and complete his university education.
Core Idea
Sincere giving does not require recognition.
Its meaning lies not in public praise, but in the willingness to help another person without expecting repayment, status, or gratitude.
Kostor Alo
A Character Drawn from Real Life
Kostor Alo was known within KGPM Imanuel Wuwuk as a cheerful, hardworking, diligent, and generous person.
He served as a church sexton and also worked as a skilled coconut climber. His everyday life, character, labour, simplicity, and service became an important source of inspiration for the film.
In Upus, he appears as the uncle of Sampel and as one of the central characters in the story.
The film did not significantly alter the qualities that people remembered from his real life. His humour, perseverance, work, and commitment to church service were carried directly into the character.
Minahasan Christianity
Faith Practised through Everyday Life
The film presents Christian faith not only through worship, preaching, or formal church activities.
Faith is also expressed through hard work, education, care for family, generosity, humility, and the willingness to support another person in silence.
Kostor Alo becomes a portrait of a contemporary Minahasan Christian whose service is visible through his daily actions rather than through public recognition.
Cap Tikus and Student Life
Working to Continue an Education
Sampel’s work producing Cap Tikus forms part of the social and economic reality surrounding his education.
The film does not separate university life from the forms of labour found in the village. His education depends on the work, knowledge, and economic conditions available within his own community.
Through Sampel’s experience, the film reflects on the difficulties faced by young people who must sustain their education while also carrying family and economic responsibilities.
Community Values
Simplicity, Hard Work, and Love
Upus brings together values rooted in Minahasan community life: perseverance, education, simplicity, generosity, service, and care for others.
These values do not appear as abstract moral statements. They are shown through ordinary work, family relationships, church life, and a quiet decision that changes another person’s future.
Production Process
A Film Made with Limited Equipment
The film was produced at the end of 2016 through collaboration among Wuwuk Film, KGPM Imanuel Wuwuk, and Wuisan Felem.
The production did not use the extensive equipment of a commercial production house. It was created through limited resources, the creativity of young people, and collective work within the church and village community.
Kalfein Wuisan worked as scriptwriter, director, cinematographer, and editor.
During production, the team spent two consecutive nights filming at Kostor Alo’s home, where he and his wife also welcomed and supported the crew.
First Screening
Christmas Celebration in Wuwuk
Upus was first screened on 17 December 2016 in Wuwuk during the Christmas celebration of the KGPM Youth and Adolescent Commission.
The screening brought the film directly to the congregation and the community whose everyday experiences, cultural values, and church life shaped the story.
Project Information
Film Details
Title
Upus
Format
Religious-cultural narrative short film
Year
2016
Duration
30 minutes
Main character
Sampel
Important supporting character
Kostor Alo
Location
Wuwuk, Minahasa, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
Production
Wuwuk Film · KGPM Imanuel Wuwuk · Wuisan Felem
Scriptwriter, director, cinematographer, and editor
Kalfein Wuisan
First screening
17 December 2016 · Wuwuk
Screening context
Christmas celebration of the KGPM Youth and Adolescent Commission
Closing
Tou Tumou. Tou Mamuali Tou. Tumou Tou.