I’ve put my books aside for the week in favour of a few
historical films (besides the occasional movies with heartthrobs like Hugh
Grant or Tom Hiddleston). I suppose my
brain’s visual department craved for some images after fasting on texts for few
weeks. Well, I shall now proceed with jotting down some notes on 2 of the films
that I feel have some significance worth archiving down for future references.
(Part I)
Tjoet Nja Dhien (1988), Indonesia.
I was first introduced to Tjoet Nja Dhien by Kam when I
shared a facebook article of an Aceh female navy admiral by the name of
Malahayati, who was said to be the first modern female navy admiral, that has
led a women-only forces against the Dutch in Sumatran waters in the 16th
Century. Tjoet Nja Dhien on the other hand was guerilla leader, fighting
against the Dutch in the thick jungles of Aceh.
Tjoet Nja Dhien was played by Christine Hakim, this is only
my second encounter with Christine on screen, with the first being her
supporting role in Tjokroaminato (2015), so I would say this is the first time
watching Christine as the protagonist, I am certainly not a film critic, but I
do find Christine’s acting to be highly convincing, a reason for me to not
leave the 2 hour film halfway.
The film begins halfway through Tjoet Nja’s life, she was
already married to Teuku Umar and her daughter Gambang was entering her early
teenage years. They have already established a guerilla army and have engaged
in a couple of resistance battles. TJoet Nja’s character elevated as soon as
Teuku Umar was killed by the Dutch in the earlier part of the story, Tjoe Nja
immediately replaced her husband as the leader of the force.
The narrative of the film itself is rather predictable. The
highlight of the film seems to be the character of Tjoet Nja Dhien herself, who
refuses to give in to the Dutch despite having to face a few dishonest
followers that have turned against her, which ultimately causes her army to
weaken due to unexpected ambushes by the Dutch army.
The film comes to an end when Tjoet Nja’s most trusted
officer turned himself to the Dutch as he was concerned with Tjoet’s declining
health. Surely his intention was not to sabotage his guerilla army, but he sees
the importance of keeping Tjoet Nja for as long as possible and in his words he
did not want her to ‘die in vain’. As an exchange for the information of the
whereabouts of the resistance army, he requested for healthcare for Tjoet Nja
and a promise to keep her in Aceh. Tjoet Nja was eventually captured, the film
ended with a note that the Dutch did not stood by their promise to keep Tjoet
Nja in Aceh, she died three years after the capture in Java.
Certainly the story will resonate differently to different
viewers, an Acehnese would perhaps be moved by its nationalistic sentiments, a
Feminist might regard Tjoet Nja Dhien as a symbol of a capable and brave modern
woman of the region, as for me, I admire Tjoet’s persistency, someone who held
on to what she believes is rightfully hers despite the most grueling
circumstances. Her steadfastness has led countless of significant anti-colonial
battles that certainly has made its mark in Aceh’s history, without a doubt
this film have done justice, Tjoet Nja Dhien has been immortalized on screen.
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