| Tengkorak Hidoep | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | Tan Tjoei Hock |
| Written by | Tan Tjoei Hock |
| Produced by | The Teng Chun |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Tan Tjoei Hock |
Production company | Action Film |
Release date |
|
| Country | Dutch East Indies |
| Language | Malay |
Tengkorak Hidoep (literally The Living Skeleton) is a 1941 film from the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) directed by Tan Tjoei Hock. It has been called Indonesia's first domestic horror film.
Raden Darmadji and several of his friends go to the island of Mustika in search of Darmadji's brother, who was lost in a shipwreck ten years earlier. There, they discover that the god Maha Daru, who was locked away on the island 2,000 years before after losing a battle to the goddess Gumba. Darmadji, while exploring a cave, notices a huge rain storm. The earth rips asunder and Maha Daru escapes his prison.
As Darmadji tries to escape the cage, he is accosted by savage men and supernatural beings. His daughter, Rumiati, is also caught up in this apocalypse but seemingly rescued by Maha Daru. However, Maha Daru's ill-will towards Rumiati – whom he considers a reincarnation of Gumba – is soon made clear. A man living in the jungle rescues her, and they fall in love. [1]
The black-and-white film production begin in October 1941 and was written, shot, and directed by Tan Tjoei Hock, with Java Industrial Film's The Teng Chun as producer; [1] it was Tan's last film as director. [2] It starred Tan Tjeng Bok, Moh Mochtar, Misnahati, Bissu, and Ali Joego. [1]
Salim Said, writing in 1981, stated that Tengkorak Hidoep was influenced by previous film adaptations of Bram Stoker's Dracula , [3] while Ade Irwansyah of Tabloid Bintang suggested that the dominance of the jungle scenes was inspired by the various films centred on Edgar Rice Burroughs's Tarzan. [4]
Tengkorak Hidoep was released in 1941 and reportedly a commercial success. [1] Tan credited this success on the film's special effects, including a scene in which lightning smashes Maha Daru's grave and he comes out, a living skull, surrounded by flames. [2] A 35 mm copy of the film is reportedly stored at Sinematek Indonesia in Jakarta. [1]
Several articles, including one in the Indonesian film magazine F and the entertainment publication Tabloid Bintang, write that Tengkorak Hidoep was the first Indonesian horror film. [4] However, other publications, such as JB Kristanto's Katalog Film Indonesia (Indonesian Film Catalogue), consider the 1971 psychological horror film Lisa the first true Indonesian horror film; [4] in Kristanto's catalogue, Tengkorak Hidoep is considered an adventure film. [1] By the late 2000s, horror films had become one of the dominant genres in the Indonesian film industry. [4]
Lilly van Java, also known as Melatie van Java, is a 1928 film from the Dutch East Indies directed by Nelson Wong. Initially meant to be produced by South Sea Film and shot by an American director, the film – which follows a woman told to marry a man she does not love – was ultimately completed by Wong's Halimoen Film. Details on its cast and performance are contradictory, although the film is recognised as the first of a long series of ethnic Chinese-produced films in the country. It is likely a lost film.
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.
Ratna Moetoe Manikam, also known by the title Djoela Djoeli Bintang Tiga, is a film from the Dutch East Indies.
Kedok Ketawa is a 1940 action film from the Dutch East Indies. Union Films' first production, it was directed by Jo An Djan. Starring Basoeki Resobowo, Fatimah, and Oedjang, the film follows a young couple who fight off criminals with the help of a masked man.
Matjan Berbisik is a 1940 film from the Dutch East Indies which was directed by Tan Tjoei Hock and produced by The Teng Chun. Starring Hadidjah and Mohamad Mochtar, the film follows two men who are raised as brothers and compete for the love of the same woman. A copy of the black-and-white film, which featured keroncong music, is stored at Sinematek Indonesia.
Srigala Item is a 1941 film from the Dutch East Indies that was directed by Tan Tjoei Hock and produced by The Teng Chun for Action Film. Starring Hadidjah, Mohamad Mochtar, and Tan Tjeng Bok, the film's plot – inspired by Zorro – follows a young man who became a masked vigilante to take revenge against his conniving uncle. Srigala Item was a commercial success, which Misbach Yusa Biran credits to the plot's use for escapism. A copy of the black-and-white film, which featured kroncong music, is stored at Sinematek Indonesia.
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.
Poetri Rimba is a 1941 film from the Dutch East Indies which was directed by Inoe Perbatasari and produced by The Teng Chun for Jacatra Film. A love story, it tells of a man who rescues a woman from a gang of thieves and escapes through the jungle.
Bajar dengan Djiwa is a believed lost 1941 film from the Dutch East Indies. Directed by R Hu and produced by Ang Hock Liem, it starred A Bakar, Djoewariah, O Parma, Oedjang, RS Fatimah, Soelastri, and Zonder. The story centers on two families torn apart by finances and clashes of personality.
Bengawan Solo is a now-lost 1949 film from what is now Indonesia. Directed by Jo An Djan, it starred Sofia WD, Rd Mochtar, and Mohamad Mochtar.
Matula is a 1941 film from the Dutch East Indies which was directed by Tan Tjoei Hock and produced by The Teng Chun of Java Industrial Film. The black-and-white film, now likely lost, follows a young man who tries to give a woman's soul to a shaman as payment for being made handsome.
Wanita dan Satria is a 1941 film from the Dutch East Indies directed by Rd Ariffien and produced by Ang Hock Liem for Union Films that is probably lost. Starring Djoewariah, Ratna Djoewita, Hidajat, Z. Algadrie, and Moesa, it follows a womaniser named Soedrajat who abuses his status to gain women's trust before ultimately getting his comeuppance. Reviews were mostly positive, with one praising the film's depiction of women's issues in a Muslim society.
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.
Melati van Agam is a 1940 romance film directed by Tan Tjoei Hock and produced by The Teng Chun. Starring S. Soekarti and A.B. Rachman, the film follows young lovers named Norma and Idrus. The film may be lost.
Si Gomar is a 1941 film from the Dutch East Indies which was written and directed by Tan Tjoei Hock and produced by The Teng Chun. Starring Hadidjah, Mohamad Mochtar, and Tan Tjeng Bok, the movie follows a brother and sister who are separated by robbers and almost marry before their cousin recognises them.
Singa Laoet is a 1941 film from the Dutch East Indies. Directed by Tan Tjoei Hock and produced by The Teng Chun, it starred Tan Tjen Bok, Mohamad Mochtar, and Hadidjah.
Saputangan is a 1949 romance film from what is now Indonesia. Directed by Fred Young and starring Chatir Harro, Noorsini, and Astaman, it follows a young doctor who, after his fiancée is blinded in an automobile accident, becomes an optometrist and restores her sight.
Netty Herawaty was an Indonesian actress who made more than fifty films between 1949 and 1986.
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