Tjoet Nja Dhien (1988)

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 16^th 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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