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.[a][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]
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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").
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"Air Mata Mengalir di Tjitarum". filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
"Ajah Berdosa". filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
"Aladin dengan Lampoe Wasiat". filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
"Alang-Alang". filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
"Anaknja Siloeman Oeler Poeti". filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
"Aneka Warna". filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
"Ang Hai Djie". filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
"Anggrek Bulan". filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
"Bajar dengan Djiwa". filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
"Bengawan Solo". filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 31 October 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
"Berdjoang". filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
"Boenga Roos dari Tjikembang". filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
"Boenga Sembodja". filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
"Boedjoekan Iblis". filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
"Di Desa". filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
"Di Menara". filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
"Djantoeng Hati". filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
"Djauh Dimata". filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
"Djatoeh Berkait". filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
"Elang Darat". filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
"Eulis Atjih". filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
"Fatima". filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
"Film-critieken. "Huwen op Bevel."" [Film review "Huwen op Bevel."]. Het Nieuws van den dag voor Nederlandsch-Indië (in Dutch). Batavia: NV Mij tot Expl. van Dagbladen. 11 August 1931. p. 5. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
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"Garoeda Mas". filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
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"Indische filmkunst" [Indies Cinema]. De Indische Courant (in Dutch). Surabaya. 11 June 1931. p. 5.
"Hoedjan". filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
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"Impian di Bali". filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
"Indonesia Malaise". filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
"Karnadi Anemer Bangkong". filmindonesia.or.id. Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
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"Melati Van Agam (I dan II)" [Melati Van Agam (I and II)]. filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
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"Noesa Penida". filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
"Oh Iboe". filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
"Ouw Peh Tjoa". filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 29 September 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
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"Pareh". filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
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"Poelo Inten". filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
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"Sorga Palsoe". filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
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"Tengkorak Hidoep". filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
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"Zoebaida". filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2012.