Classical Indonesian Cinema
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Classical Indonesian cinema is a term used in
film criticism Film criticism is the analysis and evaluation of films and the film medium. In general, film criticism can be divided into two categories: Journalism, journalistic criticism that appears regularly in newspapers, magazines and other popular mass-m ...
to describe both a narrative and visual style of Indonesian filmmaking which first developed in the 1926 to 1965.


History


1926–1945: Colonial era and emergence of the classical style

The first film produced in colonial era was a silent fiction ''
Loetoeng Kasaroeng ''Loetoeng Kasaroeng'' is a 1926 fantasy film from the Dutch East Indies (modern-day Indonesia) which was directed and produced by L. Heuveldorp. An adaptation of the Sundanese folktale ''Lutung Kasarung'' (''The Lost Lutung''), the film tells o ...
'' (1926), who was based from ''
Lutung Kasarung Lutung Kasarung is a Sundanese folklore tale from West Java, Indonesia. Set in the Pasir Batang Kingdom, it tells the tale of a magical lutung (a type of black monkey) who helped a beautiful princess, Purbasari Ayuwangi, when her older sister attem ...
'', a community legend from Parahyangan. It was sometimes credited as the first film of Indonesian cinema, and the first colonial film to feature a native-Indonesian cast from
priyayi ''Priyayi'' (former spelling: ''Prijaji'') was the Dutch East Indies, Dutch-era class of the nobles of the robe, as opposed to royal nobility or ''ningrat'' (Javanese language, Javanese), in Java, Indonesia, the List of islands by population, wor ...
noble, who was the relative of
Wiranatakusumah V Raden Aria Adipati Wiranatakusumah V (Van Ophuijsen Spelling System, Old Spelling: Raden Aria Adipati Wiranatakoesoemah V; 23 November 1888 – 22 January 1965), commonly shortened to R. A. A. Wiranatakusumah V or just as Wiranatakusumah V, was ...
. The film was screened in December 1926, and marks
Bandung Bandung ( su, ᮘᮔ᮪ᮓᮥᮀ, Bandung, ; ) is the capital city of the Indonesian province of West Java. It has a population of 2,452,943 within its city limits according to the official estimates as at mid 2021, making it the fourth most ...
as the birthplace of Indonesian film. In 1927, The second film produced in colonial era,''
Eulis Atjih ''Eulis Atjih'' is a 1927 film from the Dutch East Indies (modern-day Indonesia); it was the second feature film produced in the country, after ''Loetoeng Kasaroeng'' in 1926. The silent film follows the lives of a native Indonesian family sent i ...
'', was released. It was the first film where Indonesian language was used for the first time, and mark the directorial debut of
G. Krugers Georg Eduard Albert Krugers (4 November 1890, in Banda Neira – 10 August 1964, in The Hague; also written as G. Kruger) was a cameraman and film director active in the Dutch East Indies (modern Indonesia) during the early 20th century. He is rec ...
. It was screened at Orient Theater in
Surabaya Surabaya ( jv, ꦱꦸꦫꦧꦪ or jv, ꦯꦹꦫꦨꦪ; ; ) is the capital city of the Provinces of Indonesia, Indonesian province of East Java and the List of Indonesian cities by population, second-largest city in Indonesia, after Jakarta. L ...
,
East Java East Java ( id, Jawa Timur) is a Provinces of Indonesia, province of Indonesia located in the easternmost hemisphere of Java island. It has a land border only with the province of Central Java to the west; the Java Sea and the Indian Ocean bord ...
, and also mark the beginning of Indonesian film.


Major figures from classic Indonesian cinema

*
G. Krugers Georg Eduard Albert Krugers (4 November 1890, in Banda Neira – 10 August 1964, in The Hague; also written as G. Kruger) was a cameraman and film director active in the Dutch East Indies (modern Indonesia) during the early 20th century. He is rec ...
(1890–1964) * Husin Lubis (1899–1983) *
Astaman Astaman (also known as Tirtosari; 1903–1980) was an Indonesian actor active from the 1910s until the mid-1970s. He was a leading actor in the influential theatre company Dardanella and, after entering the film industry with 1940s ''Kartinah'' ...
(1900–1980) * Tan Tjeng Bok (1900–1985) * Fred Young (1900–1977) * Bissu Usman (1901–1974) *
Andjar Asmara Abisin Abbas (; 26 February 1902 – 20 October 1961), better known by his pseudonym Andjar Asmara (), was a dramatist and filmmaker active in the cinema of the Dutch East Indies. Born in Alahan Panjang, West Sumatra, he first worked as ...
(1902–1961) *
The Teng Chun The Teng Chun (; 18 June 1902 – 25 February 1977), also known by his Indonesian name Tahjar Ederis, was a Chinese Indonesian film producer. Born to a rich businessman, The became interested in film while still a youth. After a period as a ...
(1902–1977) *
Bachtiar Effendi Bachtiar Effendi (also spelled Bachtiar Effendy; after 1903 – 1 April 1976) was an Indonesian film actor and director who also served as a cultural critic. Beginning his film career in 1930, he made several works for Tan's Film before join ...
(1903–1976) * Rd Ismail (1904–1969) *
Albert Balink Albert Balink (3 August 1906 – 8 February 1976) was a Dutch journalist and filmmaker who contributed to early Indonesian cinema. Born in the Netherlands, he began a career in film journalism in the Dutch East Indies. A self-taught filmmaker ...
(1906–1976) * Miss Riboet II (1908–present) *
Tan Tjoei Hock Tan Tjoei Hock (15 April 1908 – 1984) 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 1 ...
(1908–1984) * Raden Ajeng Srimulat (1908–1968) * Dr. Huyung (1909–1952) *
Ratna Asmara Ratna Asmara (1913 – August 1968) was an Indonesian actress and film director. Originally active in theatre, in 1940 she starred in the romance film ''Kartinah'', which her first husband Andjar directed. After appearing in several further ...
(1913–1968) *
Annie Landouw Annie Landouw (also Landauw, 1913 – 17 August 1982) was an Indonesian ''keroncong'' singer and film actress. Biography Landouw was born in Surakarta, Central Java, in 1913. She lost her sight following an extended illness as a child, an ...
(1913–1982) *
Rempo Urip Rempo Urip (10 July 1914 – 15 January 2001) was an Indonesian film director. He began his career in the theatre, serving as an extra and footballer for the Dardanella theatre company beginning in 1934. After six years and three troupes, Urip e ...
(1914–2001) * Devi Dja (1914–1989) *
Fifi Young Fifi Young (12 January 1915 – 5 March 1975) was an Indonesian actress of mixed French and Chinese descent who acted in at least 86 films over her 34-year career. Early life and stage career Young was born with the name Nonie Tan (; Tan Kim Nio) ...
(1915–1975) * Djoewariah (1915–1996) * Chatir Harro (1915–1971) *
Djoemala Ismail Djoemala (also credited Rd Djoemala; Perfected Spelling: Ismail Jumala; 1915/18 – 10 June 1992) was an Indonesian actor active in the 1940s. He was often cast alongside Roekiah as her romantic interest. Biography Djoemala was born in ...
(1915–1992) *
Djamaluddin Malik Djamaluddin Malik (13 February, 1917 – 8 June, 1970) was a prominent Indonesian film producer, politician, entrepreneur. He founded the Jakarta Indonesian company Persari Film. Personal life Malik was born in Padang, Indonesia, Padang, West S ...
(1917–1970) * Wolly Sutinah (1917–1987) *
Mien Sondakh Mien Sondakh (11 December 1917 – 1998) was an Indonesian actress and singer. She was active in the 1940s and 1950s. She was best known for her role as aunt Sudimo in ''Putri Solo'' (1953) and as a cruel women in ''Kasih Sajang'' (1954). Sondakh ...
(1917–1998) *
Roekiah Roekiah ( Perfected Spelling: Rukiah; 31 December 1917 – 2 September 1945), often credited as Miss Roekiah, was an Indonesian ''kroncong'' singer and film actress. The daughter of two stage performers, she began her career at the age of sev ...
(1917–1945) *
Rd Mochtar Hajji Raden Mochtar (born 1918), often credited as Rd Mochtar, was an Indonesian actor. Of noble descent, Mochtar was discovered by Albert Balink and first cast in the commercial failure ''Pareh'' (1936). Rising to popularity after the releas ...
(1918–present) *
Mohamad Mochtar Mohamad Mochtar (1 July 1918 – 1 December 1981), usually credited as Moh Mochtar, was an Indonesian film actor active from 1939 until his death in 1981. Biography Mochtar was born in Cianjur, West Java, Dutch East Indies, on 1 July 1918. H ...
(1918–1981) * D. Djajakusuma (1918–1987) * S. Waldy (1919–1968) *
Saeroen Saeroen ( Perfected Spelling: Saerun; fl. 1920s–1962) 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 ''Pemandang ...
(1920–1962) *
Rendra Karno Raden Soekarno ( Perfected Spelling: Sukarno; 7 May 1920 – 27 November 1985), better known as Rendra Karno, was an Indonesian actor. Born in Kutoarjo, Central Java, Soekarno entered the film industry in 1941, making his debut appearance ...
(1920–1985) *
Hadidjah Hadidjah (EYD, Perfected Spelling: Hadijah; 13 June 1920 – 10 October 2013) was an Indonesian film actress best known for partnership with Moh Mochtar in seven films released by Java Industrial Film between 1939 and 1941. She was the mother ...
(1920–2013) * Darussalam (1920–1993) *
Max Tera Max Tera (25 October 1920 – 1 October 1992) was an Indonesian cinematographer and editor. He was employed by PERFINI in the 1950s and was a frequent collaborator with director Usmar Ismail. Biography Tera was born on 25 October 1920 in Mad ...
(1920–1992) *
Usmar Ismail Usmar Ismail (20 March 1921 – 2 January 1971) was an Indonesian film director, author, journalist and revolutionary of Minangkabau descent. He was widely regarded as the native Indonesian pioneer of the cinema of Indonesia. Biography ...
(1921–1971) * Wahid Chan (1921–1971) *
Aminah Banowati Aminah Banowati (1922 – 30 April 1977) was an Indonesian actress and singer whose career spanned from the 1940s to the 1970s. She was the part of Classical Indonesian Cinema. Early life Banowati was born in 1922 in Semarang, Dutch East Indie ...
(1922–1977) * Boes Boestami (1922–1970) * Bachtiar Siagian (1923–2002) * Risa Umami (1923–present) * Amran S. Mouna (1923–1996) * Sri Murniati (1923–2017) *
Elly Yunara Elly Joenara (Perfected Spelling: Elly Yunara; 3 November 1923 – 30 May 1992) was an Indonesian film actress who later became a producer. She was the wife of producer Djamaluddin Malik. Biography Joenara was born in Straits Settlements (mo ...
(1923–1992) * Sofia W. D. (1924–1986) * A. Hamid Arief (1924–1992) *
Dhalia Dhalia (Perfected Spelling: Dahlia; 10 February 1925 – 14 April 1991) was an Indonesian actress active for over fifty years. She was nominated for three Citra Awards at the Indonesian Film Festival, winning one. Biography Dhalia was born ...
(1925–1991) *
Roldiah Matulessy Roldiah Matulessy (born 11 August 1925), often known by her nickname Roldiah, is an Indonesian actress and singer who is known as the oldest winner of Citra Award on Indonesian Film Festival in 1987 from her role in ''Nagabonar''. Biography Ro ...
(1925–present) * A. N. Alcaff (1925–1987) *
Nurnaningsih Raden Nganten Nurnaningsih (5 December 1925 – 21 March 2004) was an Indonesian actress. She has been described as Indonesia's first sex bomb. Biography Nurnaningsih was born on 5 December 1925, at Darmo Hospital in Surabaya, Dutch East In ...
(1925–2004) *
Roostijati Roostijati ( Perfected Spelling: Roostiati; December 27, 1925 – September 5 or September 11, 1975) was an Indonesian actress, soldier, radio announcer, director, athlete, teacher, and make-up artist. She was the sister of actor Djoni Sundawa and ...
(1925–1975) * Marlia Hardi (1926–1984) * Gretiani Hamzah (1926–present) * Salmah (1926–present) *
Asrul Sani Asrul Sani (10 June 1926 – 11 January 2004) was an Indonesian writer, poet and screenwriter. Biography Sani was born in Rao, West Sumatra on 10 June 1926. His father was Sultan Marah Sani Syair Alamsyah. Together with Chairil Anwar and Riv ...
(1926–2004) * Sri Aniah Uniati (1926–present) * Hadisjam Tahax (1927–1987) *
Bing Slamet Ahmad Syech Albar (27 September 1927 – 17 December 1974), better known by his stage name Bing Slamet, was an Indonesian singer, songwriter, comedian, and actor. During his career, he acted in 17 films and released "dozens" of albums. Shortl ...
(1927–1974) * Ermina Zaenah (1927–2009) * Ratna Ruthinah (1928–present) * W. D. Mochtar (1928–1997) *
Mimi Mariani Sumiarto Suharto (born Troely Callebaut; 8 June 1928 – 1 May 1971), better known by the stage name Mimi Mariani, was an Indonesian actress, model, and singer who was of mixed Belgian, Dutch, and Manado heritage. Known as the first Sri Asih (ch ...
(1928–1971) *
Netty Herawaty Netty Herawaty (4 April 1929 – 6 February 1989) was an Indonesian actress who made more than fifty films between 1949 and 1986. Born in Surabaya, as a teenager Herawaty toured Java with a number of stage troupes during the Japanese occupat ...
(1929–1989) * Nur Hasanah (1929–present) * S. Bono (1930–1993) *
Lilik Sudjio Lilik Sudjio (14 May 1930 – 9 December 2014) was an Indonesian actor turned film director who won the Citra Award for Best Director in 1955 for his film ''Tarmina''. He was involved in 74 feature film productions since his debut in Fr ...
(1930–2014) * Yaya Hitayati (1930–present) *
Tina Melinda Tina may refer to: People *Tina (given name), people and fictional characters with the given name ''Tina'' Places *Tina, Iran, a village in Khuzestan Province, Iran *Tina, Tunisia, a town in Sfax Governorate, Tunisia * Tina, Guadalcanal, Solomon ...
(1931–present) * Bambang Hermanto (1931–1991) * Muni Cader (1932–2001) * Komalasari (1932–2012) * Kusno Sudjarwadi (1932–2008) * Nana Mayo (1932–2008) * Ellya Rosa (1932–present) * Nun Zairina (1932–2017) *
Wim Umboh Ahmad Salim (26 March 1933 – 24 January 1996), better known by his birth name Wim Umboh but also known by the Chinese name Liem Yan Yung, was an Indonesian director who is best known for his melodramatic romances. Born in North Sulawesi, ...
(1933–1996) *
Sjumandjaja Sjumandjaja ( Perfected Spelling: Syumanjaya; 5 August 1933 – 19 July 1985) was an Indonesian director, screenwriter, and actor. During his career he wrote numerous films, directed fourteen, acted in ten, and produced nine; he also won ...
(1933–1985) *
Chitra Dewi Rara Patma Dewi Tjitrohadiseikusumo (26 January 1930 – 28 October 2008), best known under her stage name Chitra Dewi, was an Indonesian film actress and director. She was noted for her roles in Usmar Ismail's films of the 1950s, appearing in ...
(1934–2008) * Lely Sulastri (1934–present) *
Misbach Yusa Biran Misbach Yusa Biran (11 September 1933 – 11 April 2012) was an Indonesian writer, director and columnist who pioneered the Indonesian film archives. Personal life Biran was born in Rangkasbitung, in the Lebak Regency, to a Minangkabau f ...
(1933–2012) * Mardiana (1935–present) *
Titien Sumarni Raden Ajeng Titien Sumarni (28 December 1935 – 13 May 1966) was an Indonesian actress active in the 1950s. Born in Surabaya, she moved to Tasikmalaya as a child and developed an interest in stage acting, trained by her uncle and future hu ...
(1935–1966) * Tuty. S (1936–1993) * Soendjoto Adibroto (1936–2001) *
Roosilawaty Roosilawaty (April 15, 1936 – February 25, 2009) was an Indonesian actress and dancer. Born with the name Surayi Pendidikan, Roosilawaty adopted her stage name when she started her career as a singer and dancer. She starred in her first lead role ...
(1936–2009) * Dian Anggrianie (1937–present) *
Teguh Karya Teguh Karya (born Steve Liem Tjoan Hok; ; 22 September 1937 – 11 December 2001) was an Indonesian film director. Starting his entertainment career in theatre, he made his directorial debut with '' Wadjah Seorang Laki-Laki'', released thr ...
(1937–2001) *
Titiek Puspa Sudarwati (born 1 November 1937), better known by her stage name Titiek Puspa, is an Indonesian singer and songwriter. ''Rolling Stone Indonesia'' has selected two of her songs as some of the best Indonesian songs of all time. Biography Puspa wa ...
(1937–present) *
Aminah Cendrakasih Aminah Tjendrakasih (Enhanced Indonesian Spelling System, Perfected Spelling: Aminah Cendrakasih ; born Siti Aminah; 29 January 1938 – 21 December 2022) was an Indonesian actress best known for her appearance as Lela in the television series ...
(1938–2022) *
Rachmat Kartolo Rachmat Kartolo (13 March 1938 – 18 September 2001) was an Indonesian actor and singer. Early life Rachmat Kartolo was one of five children born to Kartolo and Roekiah, two film actors active with Tan's Film, on 13 March 1938. After Roekiah's d ...
(1938–2001) * Paulina Robot (1938–2000) * Farouk Afero (1938–2003) * Farida Arriany (1937–1977) *
Rima Melati Marjolein Tambayong (August 22, 1937 – June 23, 2022), better known by her stage name Rima Melati or by her nickname Lientje, was an Indonesian actress, model, and singer. She appeared in close to one hundred feature films, including works b ...
(1939–2022) *
Baby Huwae Baby Constance Irene Theresia Huwae (22 November 1939 – 5 June 1989) was a Dutch-born Indonesian film actress and singer. Born in Rotterdam, she had moved to Indonesia by the 1950s and taken up modelling. She entered the film industry in 1958, ...
(1939–1989) *
Mieke Wijaya Mieke Wijaya (born Miecke Marie De Rijder; 17 March 1940 – 3 May 2022) was an Indonesian actress, model, and politician who won three Citra Awards. She was crowned the best female antagonist in Indonesian film industry along with Suzzanna and ...
(1940–2022) *
Lies Noor Eliza Firmansjah "Lies" Noor (12 July 1943 – 14 March 1961) was an Indonesian actress and model. Rising to popularity after her appearance in 1952's ''Pulang'' (''Homecoming''), directed by , by 1955 Noor was able to demand fees of Rp 10,000 ( ...
(1943–1961) *
Nani Widjaja Nani Widjaja ( Perfected Spelling: Nani Wijaya; 10 November 1944 – 16 March 2023) was an Indonesian actress and model who won two Citra Awards for Best Supporting Actress. She was best known for her role in television ''Bajaj Bajuri''. She wa ...
(1944–2023)


List of selected notable films

The following is a list of notable Indonesian films that were made during classical age.


Colonial era

* ''
Loetoeng Kasaroeng ''Loetoeng Kasaroeng'' is a 1926 fantasy film from the Dutch East Indies (modern-day Indonesia) which was directed and produced by L. Heuveldorp. An adaptation of the Sundanese folktale ''Lutung Kasarung'' (''The Lost Lutung''), the film tells o ...
'' (1926) * ''
Eulis Atjih ''Eulis Atjih'' is a 1927 film from the Dutch East Indies (modern-day Indonesia); it was the second feature film produced in the country, after ''Loetoeng Kasaroeng'' in 1926. The silent film follows the lives of a native Indonesian family sent i ...
'' (1927) * ''
Lily van Java ''Lilly van Java'' (''Lily of Java''), also known as ''Melatie van Java'' (''Jasmine of 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 direct ...
'' (1928) * '' Njai Dasima'' (1929) * ''
Nancy Bikin Pembalesan ''Nancy Bikin Pembalesan'' (''Nancy Takes Revenge'') 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 ve ...
'' (1930) * '' Melati van Agam'' (1931) * '' Njai Dasima'' (1932) * ''
Pareh ''Pareh'' (Sundanese for "rice"), released internationally as ''Pareh, Song of the Rice'', is a 1936 film from the Dutch East Indies (modern day Indonesia). Directed by the Dutchmen Albert Balink and Mannus Franken, it featured an amateur nativ ...
'' (1935)


References

{{reflist 1920s in film 1930s in film 1940s in film 1950s in film 1960s in film