Wednesday, October 24, 2012 @ 6:30 PM
Center for Korean Studies Building, UHM
Indonesia (1976, 170 mins)
Dutch and Indonesian w/English subtitles

Director: Fons Rademakers
Screenplay: Gerard Soeteman
Cinematography: Jan de Bont
Cast: Peter Faber (Max Havelaar), Sacha Bulthuis (Tine), Adendu Soesilaningrat Regent (as E.M. Adenan Soesilaningrat), Maruli Sitompul (Demang),
Krijn ter Braak (Verbrugge), Carl van der Plas (Resident), Rima Melati (Mevrouw Slotering), Rutger Hauer (Duclari)

Based on the real life experience of Dutch writer Douwes Dekker (writing under the pen name Multatuli), Max Havelaar is an undisputed classic in the pantheon of Dutch literary canons.

This gorgeous film adaptation was made by Fons Rademakers (1920-2007) in 1976 as a collaborative project of the Indonesian and Dutch film industry [although the film was banned from distribution and exhibition in Indonesia until the 1990s].

The story revolves around Max Havelaar, an Assistant-Resident of the Dutch East Indies colonial government in West Java, who is sent to manage the extraction of resources in the region only to be shocked at the conditions he finds at his new post.

The 1860 book caused a political uproar by shining a light on the abuse of the native population of the Dutch East Indies; what noted Indonesian author Pramoedya Ananta Toer called “the book that killed colonialism.”

As Alphonse Nahuÿs writes in his preface to the first English translation of Max Havelaar, “Max Havelaar is immortal, not because of literary art or talent, but because of the cause he advocates.” And this filmic adaptation enriches the immortality of the original work, because if there is any meaning to be distilled out of Max Havelaar at all, it is a question that is just as relevant today as it was in 1860: Who is more corruptive? The colonizer or the colonized? Or are both just as bad?

- Acknowledgement: Ari Purnama

For a fascinating article on the film and the times, click here: Pramoedya Ananta Toer

Please support the distributor by purchasing all of their films!

Distributor: A-Film Distribution

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 @ 6:30 PM
Center for Korean Studies Building, UHM
Indonesia (2004, 87 mins)
Indonesia w/English subtitles
Co-sponsored by Muslim Societies of Asia and the Pacific

Director: Garin Nugroho
Stars: Fauzi Baadila, Nova Eliza and Jaja Mihardja

Top Indonesian helmer Garin Nugroho crafts a simple ensemble piece geared to showing the humane side of a religion more often demonized than embraced. “Of Love and Eggs” uses a gentle, slightly bumbling Imam (Didi Petet) as the paternal face of Islam, a benevolent figure doling out love with warmth and humor to assorted working-class types around a Jakarta market. Shot entirely on a crowded set, the pic begins shortly before the Lebaran holiday, when most return to their native villages. Those left in town include Asih (Putri Mulia), an angry young girl unwilling to accept that her mother may have abandoned the family; Bimo (Sakurtha H. Ginting), a mischievous boy selling eggs at the market; and Rindu (Raisa Pramesi), a deaf girl impatiently awaiting her brother’s return. Five different dialects and multiple ethnicities are used to turn the market into a national microcosm, united by their faith. -Jay Weissber

Please support the distributor by purchasing all of their films!

Distributor: The Global Film Initiative

2012 CSEAS Film Series: Sang Pencerah (The Enlightener)
2010
Indonesia

Wednesday, May 2, 2012 @ 6:30 PM
Korean Studies Auditorium

Directed by Hanung Bramantyo
Starring: Lukman Sardi, Zaskia Adya Mecca, Slamet Rahardjo, Ihsan Tatote, & Giring Ganesha

Sang Pencerah (The Enlightener) is a 2010 Indonesian film directed by Hanung Bramantyp and starring Lukman Sardi, Zaskia Adya Mecca, and Slamet Rahardjo. It is a biopic of Ahmad Dahlan which describes how he came to establish Muhammadiyah–the Islamic organization.

2012 CSEAS Film Series: Sebelah Mata (Eye On The Prize)
2007; 116 Minutes
Indonesian with English subtitles

Wednesday, March 21, 2012 @ 6:30 PM
Korean Studies Auditorium

Director Rudi Soedjarwo
Starring: Thya Ariestya, Rina Hassim, Aimee Juliette, Robertino, & Didi Riyadi

Anton “The Wonder Boy” Gabriel is an up-and-coming, powerful boxer. His success has allowed him to provide for his whole family. Unfortunately, as a result of his fighting he’s developed some dizziness. Can he keep fighting or will this be the end of his boxing career and his family’s financial stability? The film promotions proclaim, “Family is everything”