A total of 112 fictional films are known to have been produced in the Dutch East Indies (modern-day Indonesia) between 1926 and the colony's dissolution in 1949. The earliest motion pictures, imported from abroad, were shown in late 1900, [1] and by the early 1920s imported serials and fictional films were being shown, often with localised names. [2] Dutch companies were also producing documentary films about the Indies to be shown in the Netherlands. [3] The first reports of fictional film production in the Indies date from 1923, although the work in question was not completed. [4] The first locally produced film, Loetoeng Kasaroeng , was directed by L. Heuveldorp and released on 31 December 1926. [5]
Between 1926 and 1933 numerous other local productions were released. Although Dutchmen like Heuveldorp and George Krugers continued to be active in the industry, the majority of filmmakers and producers were ethnic Chinese. [6] The Tan brothers (Khoen Yauw and Khoen Hian) and The Teng Chun were major producers during this period, while the Wong brothers (Nelson, Othniel, and Joshua) were among the more prominent directors. [7] During the mid-1930s, production dropped as a result of the Great Depression. [8] The release of Albert Balink's commercially and critically successful Terang Boelan (Full Moon) in 1937 led to renewed interest in filmmaking, [9] and 1941 saw thirty locally produced films. [10] This rate of production declined after the Japanese occupation beginning in early 1942, closing all but one film studio; [11] this resulted in several films which had begun production in 1941 being released several years later. [12] The majority of films produced during the occupation were short propaganda pieces. [13] Following the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence in 1945 and during the ensuing revolution several films were made, by both pro-Dutch and pro-Indonesian backers; the Dutch formally recognised Indonesia's sovereignty on 27 December 1949, leaving the Dutch East Indies defunct. [14] [15]
Generally films produced in the Indies dealt with traditional stories or were adapted from existing works. [16] The early films were silent, with Karnadi Anemer Bangkong (Karnadi the Frog Contractor; 1930) generally considered the first talkie; [17] later films would be in Dutch, Malay, or an indigenous language. All were black-and-white. [lower-alpha 1] [18]
According to the Indonesian film scholar Misbach Yusa Biran, the films released during this period could not be classified as truly Indonesian films as there was no sense of nationalism within them. [19] The American visual anthropologist Karl G. Heider writes that all films from before 1950 are lost. [20] However, JB Kristanto's Katalog Film Indonesia (Indonesian Film Catalogue) records several as having survived at Sinematek Indonesia's archives, [21] [22] and Biran writes that several Japanese propaganda films have survived at the Netherlands Government Information Service. [23]
† | Indicates uncertain year of production |
Title | Year | Director | Cast | Synopsis | Ref(s). |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Loetoeng Kasaroeng | 1926 | L. Heuveldorp | Martoana, Oemar | Purbararang teases her sister as the latter is dating a monkey. However, it is actually magical and, in its human form, more handsome than Purbararang's lover. | [24] [25] |
Eulis Atjih | 1927 | George Krugers | Arsad, Soekria | A man leaves his beautiful young wife Eulis Atjih and their child to lead a life of partying. She falls into poverty and, when he returns several years later, he is also poor. | [24] [26] |
Lily van Java | 1928 | Nelson Wong | Lie Lian Hoa, Lie Bouw Tan, Kwee Tiang An, Yah Kwee Pang | The daughter of a rich man is forced to marry a person she does not love and secretly has a relationship with another man. | [24] [27] |
Resia Boroboedoer | 1928 | Unknown | Olive Young | A Chinese woman follows a book to Borobudur temple to search for the ashes of Gautama Buddha. Upon failing, she becomes an ascetic. | [24] [28] |
Setangan Berloemoer Darah | 1928 | Unknown | Unknown | Tan Hian Beng looks for his father's killer and has his vengeance using martial arts. | [29] |
Njai Dasima | 1929 | Lie Tek Swie | Nurhani, Anah, Wim Lender, Momo | Dasima, the mistress of a rich Englishman, is tricked into leaving him and her daughter by a greedy couple. | [24] [30] |
Rampok Preanger | 1929 | Nelson Wong | Ining Resmini, MS Ferry | Unknown | [31] [32] |
Si Tjonat | 1929 | Nelson Wong | May Ku Fung, Herman Sim | Tjonat escapes from Batavia after killing one of his friends. He tries to kidnap his love interest, Lie Gouw Nio, but is stopped by Thio Sing Sang. | [31] [33] |
Karnadi Anemer Bangkong | 1930 | George Krugers | Unknown | A comedy following the exploits of a young frog hunter named Karnadi | [34] [35] |
Lari ke Arab | 1930 | Wong brothers | Ining Resmini, Oemar | A ne'er-do-well Javanese man tries to escape the realities of the Great Depression by running away to Mecca. | [36] [37] |
Nancy Bikin Pembalesan | 1930 | Lie Tek Swie | Unknown | Dasima's daughter Nancy returns to the Dutch East Indies in a quest to avenge her mother's death. This leads to the murderers' deaths. | [31] [38] |
Njai Dasima | 1930 | Lie Tek Swie | Nurhani, Anah, Wim Lender, Momo | Dasima, the former mistress of a rich Englishman, lives with the greedy couple that tricked her. When she realises that they have been dishonest, they have her killed. | [31] [39] |
De Stem des Bloeds (alternatively, Njai Siti) | 1930 | Ph. Carli | Annie Krohn, Sylvain Boekebinder, Vally Lank | Siti awaits her lover's return. However, when he comes he cannot find her. He is able to unite with the family after his stepdaughter unwittingly falls in love with her half-brother. | [31] [40] |
Si Ronda | 1930 | Lie Tek Swie | Bachtiar Effendi , Momo | An action film based on a previously existing work | [31] [41] |
Boenga Roos dari Tjikembang | 1931 | The Teng Chun | Unknown | Oh Ay Ceng is forced to marry a rich girl. Their daughter becomes engaged but dies before marriage. Her fiancé then marries Oh's daughter from his former lover. | [31] [42] |
Huwen op Bevel (alternatively, Terpaksa Menika) | 1931 | George Krugers | Unknown | An Indonesian intellectual falls in love with a woman, who is told to marry someone else. | [43] [44] |
Indonesia Malaise | 1931 | Wong brothers | MS Ferry, Oemar | A young woman is forced to marry a man she does not love. He leaves her and her lover is imprisoned, making her depressed. She recovers when her lover is released. | [31] [45] |
Melati van Agam | 1931 | Lie Tek Swie | A. Rachman, Neng Titi, Oemar, Bachtiar Effendi | Norma loves Idrus but is forced to marry a rich man. Idrus falls ill and dies, and, several years later, Norma goes to Idrus' grave and commits suicide. (in two parts) | [31] [46] |
Sam Pek Eng Tay | 1931 | The Teng Chun | Unknown | Based on a Chinese legend. Eng Tay and Sam Pek are in love, but are separated. She is sequestered and Sam Pek is killed; Eng Tay throws herself upon his grave. | [31] [47] |
Si Pitoeng | 1931 | Wong brothers | Herman Sim, Ining Resmini, Zorro | Si Pitung, a bandit from Batavia, faces wits with the Dutch constable A.W.V. Hinne. | [31] [48] |
Sarinah | 1931 | Ph. Carli | Annie Krohn | A romance set on the south coast of Java | [49] |
Sinjo Tjo Main di Film (alternatively, Tjo Speelt Voor de Film) | 1931 | M. H. Schilling | M. H. Schilling, Ida Schilling | A comedy based on the Schillings' radio work in Bandung | [lower-alpha 2] [50] [51] |
Karina's Zelfopoffering (alternatively, Pengorbanan Karina) | 1932 | Ph. Carli | Annie Krohn | Details the life of Raden Ajeng Karina, a woman of mixed-descent who lives in the palace at Yogyakarta | [52] |
Njai Dasima | 1932 | Bachtiar Effendi | Momo, Oesman | Dasima is tricked into leaving her lover and daughter by a greedy couple. When she realises that they have been dishonest, she is killed. | [43] [53] |
Zuster Theresia | 1932 | M. H. Schilling | M. H. Schilling, Daisy Diephuis, Henk Maschhaup, Alle Heymann | Henk works in Bandung and marries his boss' daughter. Henk calls Flora to help raise his child, but she goes to a nunnery when Daisy becomes a better mother. | [54] |
Pat Bie To† (alternatively, Delapan Wanita Tjantik) | 1933 | The Teng Chun | Unknown | A martial arts story | [55] |
Pat Kiam Hap† (alternatively, Delapan Djago Pedang) | 1933 | The Teng Chun | Unknown | A martial arts story | [55] |
Ouw Peh Tjoa (alternatively, Doea Siloeman Uler Puti en Item) | 1934 | The Teng Chun | Unknown | Based on a Chinese legend. A man marries a snake disguised as a woman. When the snake is discovered, she is caught but not killed as she is pregnant. | [43] [56] |
Ang Hai Djie | 1935 | The Teng Chun | Unknown | Unknown | [43] [57] |
Pan Sie Tong† | 1935 | The Teng Chun | Unknown | Unknown | [43] [58] |
Poei Sie Giok Pa Loei Tay | 1935 | Unknown | Unknown | Poei Sie Giok, trained in martial arts since he was a child, defeats the master Loei Lo Ho, Loei's students, and Loei's wife. | [59] [60] |
Tie Pat Kai Kawin (alternatively, Siloeman Babi Perang Siloeman Monjet) | 1935 | The Teng Chun | Unknown | The pig demon Tie Pat Kai marries a human woman. When her father drives him out, Tie kidnaps his wife and escapes. He is hunted down by two monks. | [43] [61] |
Anaknja Siloeman Oeler Poeti | 1936 | The Teng Chun | Unknown | A sequel to Ouw Phe Tjoa. The child of the white snake and her human husband looks for its mother. | [59] [62] |
Lima Siloeman Tikoes† | 1936 | The Teng Chun | Unknown | A woman, aided by a cat demon, must discover which person is her husband and which is actually five mouse demons passing as him. | [59] [63] |
Pareh | 1936 | Mannus Franken , Albert Balink | Roegaya, E. T. Effendi, Doenaesih, Rd Mochtar | Mahmud, a fisherman, is in love with Wagini, a farmer's daughter. However, local superstition dictates that their relationship will bring disaster. | [59] [64] |
Pembakaran Bio "Hong Lian Sie" (alternatively, Moesnanja Gowa Siloeman Boeaja Poeti) | 1936 | The Teng Chun | Unknown | The gang of Kuen Luen Pai fights against that of Oen Kung Pai after a ship containing weapons is destroyed. | [59] [65] |
Gadis jang Terdjoeal | 1937 | The Teng Chun | Unknown | Han Nio is sold to a rich man as his wife. They live unhappily and eventually Han dies. Her former lover tries to take revenge against the husband but is killed. | [59] [66] |
Terang Boelan (alternatively, Het Eilan der Droomen) | 1937 | Albert Balink | Rd Mochtar , Roekiah, E. T. Effendi | Rohaya is in love but forced to marry a man she does not love. She elopes but is caught. Her lover wins her back by fighting. | [59] [67] |
Fatima | 1938 | Joshua Wong , Othniel Wong | Kartolo, E. T. Effendi, Rd Mochtar , Roekiah | Fatima is in love with Idris, but the rich youth Ali tries to steal her. He is later arrested as the leader of a gang of bandits. | [59] [68] |
Oh Iboe † | 1938 | The Teng Chun | Lo Tjin Nio, Bissoe | A widower remarries and focuses on gambling, while his business is run by the dishonest Kian Hwat. His daughter Loan regains the family wealth after Kian steals it. | [59] [69] |
Tjiandjoer† | 1938 | The Teng Chun | Lo Tjin Nio, Bissoe | The spoiled Kim Tjiang has his brother Kim Djin exiled from home, but their father Koan Liong later realises his mistake. | [59] [70] |
Alang-Alang | 1939 | The Teng Chun | Hadidjah, Mohamad Mochtar , Bissoe, Lena, Moesa | Suhiyat is in love with Surati, but she is kidnapped. Suhiyat eventually rescues her. | [59] [21] |
Gagak Item | 1939 | Joshua Wong , Othniel Wong | Kartolo, Roekiah, Rd Mochtar | A bandit film, based on Zorro | [71] [72] |
Impian di Bali† | 1939 | Unknown | Unknown | A couple travel through Bali. Includes comedic acts and music. | [73] [74] |
Roesia si Pengkor (alternatively, Hadji Saleh) | 1939 | The Teng Chun | Da'ing, Bissoe, Hadidjah | Suti is left with her mother while her father leaves town. She is courted by several boys, including the one she loves. The two marry after overcoming the other suitors. | [73] [75] |
Dasima | 1940 | Tan Tjoei Hock | S Soekarti, Mohamad Mochtar , M Sani, S Talib | Dasima divorces from her husband then marries Samiun. Samiun spends her money on gambling and, she asks for it back, he has her killed. | [73] [76] |
Harta Berdarah | 1940 | R Hu, Rd Ariffien | Soelastri, Zonder, RS Fatimah, Moesa | A rich man leaves his community in suffering while a young couple try to make their way. Eventually the rich man sees the negative influences of money. | [73] [77] |
Kartinah | 1940 | Andjar Asmara | Ratna Asmara, Astaman, RA Tjokrohandoko, M Rasjid Manggis | Suria's wife Titi has memory problems. Suria falls in love with her nurse Kartinah and, after Titi dies in an air raid, marries her. | [73] [78] |
Kedok Ketawa | 1940 | Jo An Djan | Basoeki Resobowo , Oedjang, RS Fatimah | Marsinah and Basuki fall in love and are protected from thugs by "The Laughing Mask" | [73] [79] |
Kris Mataram | 1940 | Njoo Cheong Seng | Fifi Young , Omar Rodriga | The noble R.A. Rusmini is in love with the commoner Bachtiar, but their love faces heavy opposition by traditional groups. | [73] [80] |
Matjan Berbisik | 1940 | Tan Tjoei Hock | Hadidjah, Mohamad Mochtar , Bissoe, Said | Hamid's father goes away and does not return until after his son is fully grown. By this time, Hamid and his caretaker's son are in competition for a young woman's love. | [22] [73] |
Melati van Agam | 1940 | Tan Tjoei Hock | S Soekarti, AB Rachman, R Abdullah, S Thalib | Siti Norma marries a man she does not love out of respect for her parents, but then elopes with her lover Idrus. | [73] [81] |
Rentjong Atjeh | 1940 | The Teng Chun | Dewi Mada, Ferry Kock, Mohamad Mochtar , Hadidjah | Two youths, Rusna and Daud, receive training to hunt and kill a pirate who left them orphans fifteen years prior. | [73] [82] |
Roekihati | 1940 | Joshua Wong , Othniel Wong | Rd Djoemala , Roekiah, Kartolo, Annie Landouw | Roekihati is married to Mansur. He begins to stray when he meets Aminah, but as Roekihati is ever-faithful he returns to her. | [73] [83] |
Siti Akbari | 1940 | Joshua Wong , Othniel Wong | Annie Landouw , Kartolo, Rd Mochtar , Roekiah | Siti Akbari's husband cheats on her, but eventually she finds happiness. | [59] [84] [85] |
Sorga Ka Toedjoe | 1940 | Joshua Wong , Othniel Wong | Rd Djoemala , Roekiah, Kartolo, Annie Landouw | Kasimin and Hadidjah, long-separated spouses, are reunited after the efforts of Hadidjah's niece Rasminah and her lover Hoesin. | [86] [87] |
Zoebaida | 1940 | Njoo Cheong Seng | Fifi Young , Soerip, Aisah, Sally Young | A love story set in Timor | [88] [89] |
Air Mata Iboe | 1941 | Njoo Cheong Seng | Fifi Young , Rd Ismail, Ali Joego , Soerip | Sumadi takes vengeance on his siblings after they refuse to shelter their mother, Sugiati, after their father dies. | [90] [91] |
Ajah Berdosa | 1941 | Wu Tsun | M Arief, S Waldy , Elly Joenara , Soetijem | A man is tempted by a "modern" city woman and leaves his wife and son, only to find misfortune. | [90] [92] |
Aladin dengan Lampoe Wasiat | 1941 | Wong brothers | Elly Joenara , Benny, Wolly Sutinah | The poor youth Aladin falls in love with a princess and defeats the evil grand vizier. | [93] [94] |
Asmara Moerni | 1941 | Rd Ariffien | AK Gani , Djoewariah, S. Joesoef | A doctor falls in love with his maid, only to marry her after her fiancé dies. | [90] [95] |
Bajar dengan Djiwa | 1941 | R Hu | A Bakar, Itjang Ali, Haroen, Oesman | A drama following the interactions between several families, including the philanthropist Basuki and the ne'er-do-well Umar | [73] [96] |
Boedjoekan Iblis | 1941 | Jo An Djan | Rd Mochtar , E. T. Effendi, Anwar, Dewi Radiah | Unknown | [90] [97] |
Djantoeng Hati | 1941 | Njoo Cheong Seng | A Sarosa, Rr Anggraini, Ariati | Two girls, the traditional Karina and modernist Roesdjana, are in competition. The film warns that modernity is not necessarily the best path. | [90] [98] |
Elang Darat | 1941 | Inoe Perbatasari | Astaman, Ali Joego , Rohana, Salam | Parlan is called to Kresek to track down a bandit called Elang Darat, who is revealed to be Parlan's half-brother Gunawi. | [90] [99] |
Garoeda Mas | 1941 | Jo An Djan | Rd Mochtar , Dewi Radiah, E. T. Effendi, Rd Kosasih | Unknown | [90] [100] |
Ikan Doejoeng | 1941 | Lie Tek Swie | Asmanah, Soerjono, A Thys, S Poniman | Asmara is told to marry someone she does not love. She instead elopes with Sanusi and, when they are accosted by robbers, escapes into the night. | [90] [101] |
Koeda Sembrani | 1941 | Wong brothers | Roekiah, Rd Djoemala , Wolly Sutinah, Kartolo | The story of a winged horse | [102] [103] |
Lintah Darat | 1941 | Wu Tsun | Elly Joenara , Satijem, M Arief, Aboebakar Djoenaedi | Kumala joins forces with Safi'i to deal with a loan shark and his wife, Kumala's selfish sister Asnah. | [90] [104] |
Matula | 1941 | Tan Tjoei Hock | Ferry Kock, Dewi Mada, Mohamad Mochtar , Bissoe | Matula goes to a dukun , asks to be made handsome, and is told to pay with a life. He tries to use Emma as his payment, but is stopped by her father and her fiancé. | [90] [105] |
Moestika dari Djemar | 1941 | Jo An Djan | Dhalia, Rd Mochtar , Djoeriah | Unknown | [90] [106] |
Noesa Penida | 1941 | Andjar Asmara | Ratna Asmara, Astaman, Rd Ismail, Ali Joego | Two brothers are in love with a princess, but differences in their castes leads to difficulty. | [93] [107] |
Pah Wongso Pendekar Boediman | 1941 | Jo Eng Sek | LV Wijnhamer Jr. , Elly Joenara | Barja begins a life of crime after his cousin rejects his advances, while Pah Wongso investigates his crimes. | [108] [109] |
Pah Wongso Tersangka | 1941 | Wu Tsun | LV Wijnhamer Jr. , Sylvia Hatjirah, S Waldy , M Sarip | Pah Wongso becomes a suspect | [90] [110] |
Panggilan Darah | 1941 | Soetan Oesman Kariem | Dhalia, Soerip, Wolly Sutinah, Mochtar Widjaja | Two orphans work at the home of Iskak. When his wife mistreats them, they run away, but find out that they are related to Iskak and thus return to him. | [90] [111] |
Pantjawarna | 1941 | Njoo Cheong Seng | Mochtar Widjaja, Dhalia, Idris Martha, Omar Rodriga | Described as the first musical in the Indies | [90] [112] |
Poesaka Terpendam | 1941 | Unknown | Roekiah, Rd Djoemala , Titing, Kartolo | A group of people go on a search for hidden treasure. | [90] [113] |
Poetri Rimba | 1941 | Inoe Perbatasari | Aisjah, Loedi, Ali Joego , Bissoe, Soetiati | Achmad is taken into a village after getting lost in the jungle. He competes against Perbada for the love of the leader's daughter. | [90] [114] |
Ratna Moetoe Manikam | 1941 | Sutan Usman Karim | Ratna Asmara, Astaman, Ali Joego , Inoe Perbatasari | Two goddesses compete for the love of an earthly king. | [93] [115] |
Selendang Delima | 1941 | Henry L. Duarte | Celly Young, Asmana, Soerjono | Unknown | [93] [116] |
Si Gomar | 1941 | Tan Tjoei Hock | Tan Tjeng Bok, Hadidjah, Mohamad Mochtar , Bissoe | Soebardja and Mariani are separated and left orphans after robbers kill their parents. As adults they nearly marry each other, but are stopped when their cousin recognises them. | [93] [117] |
Singa Laoet | 1941 | Tan Tjoei Hock | Tan Tjeng Bok, Hadidjah, Bissoe, Mohamad Mochtar | Mahmud goes against a gang of pirates led by Singa Laoet ("Lion of the Sea") to discover who killed his father twenty years earlier. | [90] [118] |
Siti Noerbaja | 1941 | Lie Tek Swie | Asmanah, Momo, Soerjono, A. Thys | Sitti Nurbaya falls in love with Samsulbahri, but is forced to marry the criminal Datuk Meringgih to pay her father's debt. | [90] [119] |
Soeara Berbisa | 1941 | Wu Tsun | Rd Soekarno , Ratna Djoewita, Oedjang, Soehaena | Mitra and Neng Mardinah fall in love, but the jealous Mardjohan spreads rumours that Mitra is the son of a thief. They reconcile and are revealed to be long-lost brothers. | [93] [120] |
Sorga Palsoe | 1941 | Tan Tjoei Hock | Lo Tjin Nio, Hui Tong, Pun Tjiaw Lim, Rohana | Hian Nio is treated by as a servant by her mother. Her lover's boss, Bian Hong, marries her. However, she is distressed by the marriage, runs away, and dies. | [73] [121] |
Srigala Item | 1941 | Tan Tjoei Hock | Tan Tjeng Bok, Hadidjah, Mohamad Mochtar , Aisah | Mochtar is forced to live with his uncle after his father disappears. The cruel uncle and his son are often accosted by a masked figure known only as De Zwarte Wolf ("The Black Wolf"). | [93] [122] |
Tengkorak Hidoep | 1941 | Tan Tjoei Hock | Tan Tjeng Bok, Mohamad Mochtar , Misnahati, Bissoe | Darmadji and his friends go to Mustika Island, where they witness Maha Daru being reborn after 2,000 years. They must defeat him to survive. | [93] [123] |
Tjioeng Wanara | 1941 | Jo Eng Sek | R Sukran, Elly Joenara , AB Djoenaedi, M Arief | Tjioeng Wanara rebels against the cruel king of Galuh. | [90] [124] |
Wanita dan Satria | 1941 | Rd Ariffien | Djoewariah, Ratna Djoewita, R Hidajat | A womaniser named Soedrajat abuses his status to gain women's trust before ultimately getting his comeuppance. | [93] [125] [126] |
1001 Malam | 1942 | Wu Tsun | Unknown | Unknown | [93] [127] |
Boenga Sembodja | 1942 | Moh Said HJ | Dhalia, Mohamad Mochtar , Tossin Effendi, Anwar | Unknown | [93] [128] |
Mega Mendoeng | 1942 | Boen Kim Nam | Rd Soekarno , Oedjang, Ratna Djoewita, Boen Sofiati | Kustini is betrayed by her friend Sujono, but they later reconcile. | [90] [129] |
Poelo Inten | 1942 | Unknown | Mohamad Mochtar , Djoeriah, Noersani, Ramli Bapet | Unknown | [93] [130] |
Berdjoang | 1943 | Rd Ariffien | Mohamad Mochtar , Sambas, Dhalia, Kartolo | Anang and Saman compete for the love of Hasanah. After Anang joins the Japanese army, Hasanah decides she wants to be with him. | [93] [131] |
Di Desa | 1943 | Roestam Sutan Palindih | Mohamad Mochtar , Garkiah, Epen | Unknown | [lower-alpha 2] [93] [132] |
Di Menara | 1943 | Roestam Sutan Palindih | Rd Soekarno , Garkiah, Epen | Unknown | [lower-alpha 2] [93] [133] |
Kemakmoeran | 1943 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | [lower-alpha 2] [134] [135] |
Djatoeh Berkait | 1944 | B. Koesoema | Astaman, Kartolo, Dimin | Unknown | [lower-alpha 2] [134] [136] |
Hoedjan | 1944 | Inoe Perbatasari | Aboebakar Djoenaedi, Dhalia, E. T. Effendi | Unknown | [lower-alpha 2] [134] [137] |
Keris Poesaka | 1944 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | [lower-alpha 2] [134] [138] |
Koeli dan Romoesha | 1944 | Unknown | Unknown | Propaganda promoting the romusha programme | [lower-alpha 2] [134] [139] |
† | Indicates uncertain year of production |
Title | Year | Director | Cast | Synopsis | Ref(s). |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Djaoeh Dimata | 1948 | Andjar Asmara | Ratna Asmara, Ali Joego , Iskandar Sucarno, Djauhari Effendi | Soelastri must go to Jakarta to earn a living after her husband Asrad goes blind. | [134] [140] |
Anggrek Bulan | 1948 | Andjar Asmara | Rd Soekarno , A. Hamid Arief , Nila Djuwita, Iskandar Sucarno | Kati is in a love triangle with Atma and Subrata, but Atma has other to worry about. | [134] [141] |
Air Mata Mengalir di Tjitarum | 1948 | Roestam Sutan Palindih | Sofia, S Waldy , D Ismail, Rd Endang | Unknown | [134] [142] |
Aneka Warna | 1949 | Moh Said HJ | A. Hamid Arief , Mochsin, R Busono, Annie Mulya | The story of Dul Kalong and Mat Codot, two fools from the Aneka Warna troupe who live in poverty. | [134] [143] |
Bengawan Solo | 1949 | Jo An Tjiang | Sofia, Rd Mochtar , Mohamad Mochtar , Rd Dadang Ismail | A village woman's two children are raised by different families after she drowns herself in the Solo River. | [134] [144] |
Gadis Desa | 1949 | Andjar Asmara | Basuki Djaelani, Ratna Ruthinah, Ali Joego , Djauhari Effendi | Abu Bakar falls in love with his landlord's daughter despite having a wife. | [134] [145] |
Harta Karun | 1949 | Usmar Ismail | Rd Soekarno , A. Hamid Arief , Djauhari Effendi, Herawati | Suliati and Ahmad are in love, but Suliati's father will not bless the relationship because Ahmad is poor. | [134] [146] |
Tjitra | 1949 | Usmar Ismail | Rd Soekarno, Nila Djuwita, Rd Ismail, A. Hamid Arief | Harsono takes Suryani's virginity then flees to the city, where he is caught up in a murder case. | [134] [147] |
Menanti Kasih | 1949 | Moh Said HJ | Chatir Harro, A. Hamid Arief , Nila Djuwita, Djoeriah | Husni Anwar discovers his schooling was paid for by Rachman, and now he must marry Rachman's daughter. | [134] [148] |
Saputangan | 1949 | Fred Young | Pak Kasur, Chatir Harro, Noorsini, Netty Herawaty | Hardjono goes blind while at sea, but has an operation to give him back his sight. | [134] [149] |
Sehidup Semati | 1949 | Fred Young | Ida Prijatni, Ali Joego , Chatir Harro, Djauhari Effendi | During a trip to Bandung Kusmayadi proposes to Asmarani despite already being betrothed to Lasminah. | [134] [150] |
Njai Dasima is a 1929 silent film from the Dutch East Indies. It details the fall of a rich mistress at the hands of a greedy delman driver. The first film released by Tan's Film, the film – adapted from an 1896 novel – was a critical and commercial success. It was released in two parts, followed by a sequel, and remade another two times by 1940.
Nancy Bikin Pembalesan is a 1930 film from the Dutch East Indies. It was released by Tan's Film Company and a sequel to the 1929 two-part film Njai Dasima; it follows Dasima's daughter Nancy on her quest for vengeance. Like its predecessor, it was a commercial and critical success.
George Eduard Albert Krugers was a cameraman and film director active in the Dutch East Indies during the early 20th century. He is recorded as having worked in film since the mid-1920s, and in 1927 he made his directorial debut, Eulis Atjih. He joined hajj pilgrims in 1928 and screened the resulting documentary in the Netherlands. His 1930 film Karnadi Anemer Bangkong is thought to be the first talkie in the cinema of the Indies, but was a commercial failure as the majority Sundanese audience considered it insulting. After making two works for Tan's Film in the early 1930s, Krugers moved to Hong Kong and then the Netherlands.
Lie Tek Swie was an Indonesian film director active in the early cinema of the Dutch East Indies. He is thought to have begun his career at a film distributor's office before making his directorial debut in 1929 with Njai Dasima, the first of three literary adaptations that he directed. His other three films, two of which were made for Tan's Film, were original stories. In 1941 Lie was a founding member of the Standard Film Company, which closed in 1942.
Saeroen was an Indonesian journalist and screenwriter. Born in Yogyakarta, he became a journalist after a time working at a railway station. By the mid-1930s he had established the daily Pemandangan with Oene Djunaedi and was writing editorials with the pen name Kampret. When the paper was dissolved, Saeroen drifted into the film industry as a writer, making his debut with Albert Balink's Terang Boelan (1937). Much of his later life was spent working with several minor publications.
Tan Tjoei Hock was an Indonesian journalist and filmmaker. Born in Batavia, he was discovered by The Teng Chun in the late 1930s. Tan became one of the most productive film directors of the Dutch East Indies between 1940 and 1941, directing nine films – primarily action.
Pah Wongso Pendekar Boediman is a 1941 detective film from the Dutch East Indies. The first production by Star Film, it was produced by Jo Eng Sek and features camerawork by Cho' Chin Hsin. Starring Pah Wongso, Elly Joenara and Mohamad Arief, it follows the social worker Pah Wongso as he investigates a murder to clear his protégé's name.
Siti Noerbaja is a 1941 film from the Dutch East Indies. Directed by Lie Tek Swie, it was the first film adaptation of Marah Roesli's 1922 novel of the same name. Starring Asmanah, Momo, and Soerjono, it follows two star-crossed teenage lovers.
Si Ronda is a 1930 silent film from the Dutch East Indies which was directed by Lie Tek Swie and starred Bachtiar Effendi. Based on contemporary Betawi oral tradition, it follows the exploits of a bandit, skilled in silat, known as Si Ronda. In the lenong stories from which the film was derived, Ronda was often depicted as a Robin Hood type of figure. The production, now thought lost, was one of a series of martial arts films released between 1929 and 1931. Si Ronda received little coverage in the media upon its release. A second adaptation of the tale, Si Ronda Macan Betawi, was made in 1978.
Sorga Ka Toedjoe is a 1940 film from the Dutch East Indies directed by Joshua and Othniel Wong for Tan's Film. It follows an older couple who are reunited by another, younger couple after years of separation. The black-and-white film, the first production by Tan's Film after the departure of Rd Mochtar, featured kroncong music and was targeted at lower-class native audiences. It was a commercial and critical success. Roekiah and Djoemala took leading roles in three more films before Tan's closed in 1942. Sorga Ka Toedjoe is now thought lost.
Sorga Palsoe is a 1941 film from the Dutch East Indies which was directed by Tan Tjoei Hock for Java Industrial Film. The tragedy, starring Lo Tjin Nio, Tong Hui, Lim Poen Tjiaw, and Rohana, was a commercial failure. It is likely lost.
Dasima is a 1940 film from the Dutch East Indies directed by Tan Tjoei Hock and produced by The Teng Chun. It is the third adaptation of G. Francis' 1896 novel Tjerita Njai Dasima.
Njai Dasima is a 1932 film from the Dutch East Indies which was directed by Bachtiar Effendi for Tan's Film. It was the second film adapted from G. Francis' 1896 novel Tjerita Njai Dasima, following a silent version in 1929. Starring Momo and Oesman, it followed a young Sundanese njai (concubine) who is tricked into marrying a man who does not love her and ultimately killed for her money. The film, the first talkie produced by its company, was also the first directed by a native Indonesian. The now-lost work received mixed critical reception.
Tjioeng Wanara is a 1941 film from the Dutch East Indies directed and produced by Jo Eng Sek. Starring R Sukran, Elly Joenara and AB Djoenaedi, it featured more than 500 people in supporting roles. The film follows a young prince named Tjioeng Wanara who must reclaim his throne from the cruel King of Galuh; it is adapted from the Sundanese legend of the same name.
Elly Joenara was an Indonesian film actress who later became a producer. She was the wife of producer Djamaluddin Malik.
Pantjawarna is a 1941 film from the Dutch East Indies.
Waldemar Caerel Hunter, best known by his stage name S. Waldy, was an Indonesian stage and film actor.
Star Film was a film production company in the Dutch East Indies. Established by Chinese-Indonesian businessman Jo Eng Sek and Chinese cameraman Cho' Chin Hsin in 1940, it produced five black-and-white films in 1940 and 1941; two of these were directed by Jo, and the remainder were directed by Wu Tsun. Another film was under production when the studio was closed following the Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies. Star helped establish the careers of actors such as S Waldy and Elly Joenara, and produced screenplays written by Rd Ariffien and Saeroen; its output, however, is probably lost.
Pah Wongso Tersangka, also known under the Dutch title Pah Wongso Keert Terug, is a 1941 film from the Dutch East Indies directed by Wu Tsun for Star Film. Saeroen's first work for the company, it is a sequel to the 1940 detective film Pah Wongso Pendekar Boediman, and stars the social worker L. V. Wijnhamer, Jr as a man who comes under suspicion and must clear his name. This possibly-lost film was styled as a comedy.