We sat down with writer-director Sophie Mutiara Nova (they/them), whose short story in Forbidden Fruit is as lush and layered as the mythic forests that inspire them. In our conversation, Sophie opened up about the intersections of identity, nature, and healing—and how Indonesian folklore, queer longing, and the resilience of plants all find their way into their work.
We talk ritual (and not just the magical kind), the art of emotional depth, and what it means to write stories that make people feel less alone. Sophie’s upcoming projects include a queer retelling of Faust and a film about community that’s equal parts grounding and spellbinding.
Sophie recommends:
Nxdia - Boy Clothes
The Siren, the Song, and the Spy, by Maggie Tokuda-Hall
Tired of regular gardening? Try a poison garden!
Guild in Real Life (Sophie’s upcoming film, in post-production)
Phoning Faust (their next full-length manuscript)
The myth of Jaka Tarub for English readers
Spider plants: houseplants that thrive despite neglect
“I always wanted to be a musician,” Sophie shares, but there are so many stories they’re meant to tell.
Catch more of Sophie’s work by following them on Instagram @sophiemutiara, their IMDB, @thesophiewhit on TikTok & Bluesky, and stay tuned for their next film drop soon.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Sophie Mutiara Nova
02:32 Exploring the Theme of Forbidden in Storytelling
04:33 The Role of Nature and Personal Rituals in Creativity
07:23 Character Development and Emotional Depth in Writing
10:28 The Influence of Astrology on Creative Expression
13:08 The Importance of Community and Connection in Art
15:59 Upcoming Projects: Guild in Real Life and Phoning Faust
18:45 Mental Health Awareness and the Trevor Project
21:30 Closing Thoughts and Encouragement for Creators
Want more strange & beautiful stories? Forbidden Fruit is on its way, September 30, 2025.
🖤 Submissions are open for Volume II: Thresholds—join us.
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