November 1828
Encyclopedia
November 1828 is a 1979 Indonesia
n historical drama directed by Teguh Karya
. Production cost an estimated Rp 240 million, making it the most expensive Indonesian movie
up to that point. It tells the story of a village struggling against the Dutch colonial military during the Java War
, and touches on the themes of nationalism
and cultural identity. The movie won 6 Citra Awards.
November 1828 uses contrasting shooting styles for each side of the struggle. When depicting the Dutch colonial army
, it uses Western-influenced techniques, including Dutch group paintings
and the conventions of Western drama. However, when the Javanese revolutionaries are depicted, the filming draws on Javanese traditions or uses techniques "especially developed for the film".
Production cost an estimated Rp 240 million, most of which was spent on producing historically accurate settings and props. At the time, it was the most expensive Indonesian film ever made and twice the cost of a regular production.
, when Prince Diponegoro
led a general uprising against the Dutch colonial government
, the Dutch military occupy a small town in Central Java
owing to concerns that they have been collaborating with Sentot Prawirodjo, one of the leaders of the Javanese forces. The village chief, Jayengnegoro, accuses elder Kromoludiro of aiding Diponegoro's forces; Kromoludiro is arrested and tortured by Dutch leader Captain de Borst. In response, village kyai
Karto Sarjan sends one of his students to find Sentot.
During Kromoludiro's torture, de Borst's second-in-command Lieutenant van Aaken admits that it was he who had informed Diponegoro's forces of the Dutch movements. Enraged, de Borst kills Kromoludiro and arrests van Aaken. Not long afterwards, Sentot's forces enter under the guise of dancers and attack the village from within, confusing the Dutch forces; Sentot himself arrives not long afterwards, defeating the Dutch forces before they can respond effectively. De Borst is slowly killed, while van Aaken dies in the crossfire.
Wanning Sun notes that, seeing as Teguh Karya himself was of mixed foreign (Chinese) and local descent, November 1828 draws numerous parallels with his life, emphasizing the backgrounds of the mixed-race
de Borst and van Aaken. He writes that November 1828 is an "indictment of a system that refused full citizenship to those of Chinese descent and simultaneously denied them a place to explore their Chineseness.
Sun also draws on similarities between the liberation of the village and the Indonesian revolution
, with representation by the Indonesian military and Islam
ic figures; both groups played a key role in the revolution.
Deanne Schultz considers November 1828 "a valuable interpretation" of Indonesian colonial history, providing enough background for people with little knowledge of Indonesian history to understand the storyline. She writes that it "embodies the best of popular Indonesian cinema."
Ade Irwansyah of Tabloid Bintang listed November 1828 as the 7th best Indonesian film of all time.
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
n historical drama directed by Teguh Karya
Teguh Karya
Teguh Karya was an Indonesian film director. Starting his entertainment career in theatre, he made his directorial debut with the 1968 children's film Jenderal Kancil, with his first adult oriented film, Wajah Laki-Laki, released three years later...
. Production cost an estimated Rp 240 million, making it the most expensive Indonesian movie
Cinema of Indonesia
Though the cinema of Indonesia has a long history, the industry is currently struggling and developing.-Colonial era:The first film made in Indonesia was the 1926 silent film, Loetoeng Kasaroeng, by Dutch directors G. Kruger and L. Heuveldorp...
up to that point. It tells the story of a village struggling against the Dutch colonial military during the Java War
Java War
The Java War or Diponegoro War was fought in Java between 1825 and 1830. It started as a rebellion led by Prince Diponegoro. The proximate cause was the Dutch decision to build a road across a piece of his property that contained his parents' tomb...
, and touches on the themes of nationalism
Nationalism
Nationalism is a political ideology that involves a strong identification of a group of individuals with a political entity defined in national terms, i.e. a nation. In the 'modernist' image of the nation, it is nationalism that creates national identity. There are various definitions for what...
and cultural identity. The movie won 6 Citra Awards.
Production
November 1828 was directed by Teguh Karya, who drew heavily on his theatre troupe Teater Popular Workshop for cast members.November 1828 uses contrasting shooting styles for each side of the struggle. When depicting the Dutch colonial army
Dutch East Indies
The Dutch East Indies was a Dutch colony that became modern Indonesia following World War II. It was formed from the nationalised colonies of the Dutch East India Company, which came under the administration of the Netherlands government in 1800....
, it uses Western-influenced techniques, including Dutch group paintings
Dutch art
Dutch art describes the history of visual arts in the Netherlands, after the United Provinces separated from Flanders. Earlier painting in the area is covered in Early Netherlandish painting and Renaissance art.-Golden Age:...
and the conventions of Western drama. However, when the Javanese revolutionaries are depicted, the filming draws on Javanese traditions or uses techniques "especially developed for the film".
Production cost an estimated Rp 240 million, most of which was spent on producing historically accurate settings and props. At the time, it was the most expensive Indonesian film ever made and twice the cost of a regular production.
Plot
During the Java WarJava War
The Java War or Diponegoro War was fought in Java between 1825 and 1830. It started as a rebellion led by Prince Diponegoro. The proximate cause was the Dutch decision to build a road across a piece of his property that contained his parents' tomb...
, when Prince Diponegoro
Diponegoro
Diponegoro , also known as Dipanegara, was a Javanese prince who opposed the Dutch colonial rule. He played an important role in the Java War...
led a general uprising against the Dutch colonial government
Dutch East Indies
The Dutch East Indies was a Dutch colony that became modern Indonesia following World War II. It was formed from the nationalised colonies of the Dutch East India Company, which came under the administration of the Netherlands government in 1800....
, the Dutch military occupy a small town in Central Java
Central Java
Central Java is a province of Indonesia. The administrative capital is Semarang. It is one of six provinces on the island of Java.This province is the province of high Human Development in Indonesia and its Points Development Index countries is equivalent to Lebanon. The province of Central Java...
owing to concerns that they have been collaborating with Sentot Prawirodjo, one of the leaders of the Javanese forces. The village chief, Jayengnegoro, accuses elder Kromoludiro of aiding Diponegoro's forces; Kromoludiro is arrested and tortured by Dutch leader Captain de Borst. In response, village kyai
Kyai
A Kyai is an expert in islam. The word is of Javanese origin, and is sometimes spelled kiai. Traditionally, students of Islam in Indonesia would study in a boarding school known as a pesantren. The leader of the school was called kyai, as a form of respect. The traditional word for a teacher in...
Karto Sarjan sends one of his students to find Sentot.
During Kromoludiro's torture, de Borst's second-in-command Lieutenant van Aaken admits that it was he who had informed Diponegoro's forces of the Dutch movements. Enraged, de Borst kills Kromoludiro and arrests van Aaken. Not long afterwards, Sentot's forces enter under the guise of dancers and attack the village from within, confusing the Dutch forces; Sentot himself arrives not long afterwards, defeating the Dutch forces before they can respond effectively. De Borst is slowly killed, while van Aaken dies in the crossfire.
Themes and symbolism
November 1828 has been seen as a "challenging account of cultural differences."Wanning Sun notes that, seeing as Teguh Karya himself was of mixed foreign (Chinese) and local descent, November 1828 draws numerous parallels with his life, emphasizing the backgrounds of the mixed-race
Indo
Indo or Indo-European people is a term, used since the 19th century, to describe a Eurasian people of mixed European and indigenous Indonesian ancestry...
de Borst and van Aaken. He writes that November 1828 is an "indictment of a system that refused full citizenship to those of Chinese descent and simultaneously denied them a place to explore their Chineseness.
Sun also draws on similarities between the liberation of the village and the Indonesian revolution
Indonesian National Revolution
The Indonesian National Revolution or Indonesian War of Independence was an armed conflict and diplomatic struggle between Indonesia and the Dutch Empire, and an internal social revolution...
, with representation by the Indonesian military and Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
ic figures; both groups played a key role in the revolution.
Release and reception
November 1828 was released in 1979 and advertised as Karya's most patriotic work. It soon became known as a classic. It was also the first Indonesian film to become well-known outside of Indonesia, drawing some critical attention. It won 6 Citra Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.Deanne Schultz considers November 1828 "a valuable interpretation" of Indonesian colonial history, providing enough background for people with little knowledge of Indonesian history to understand the storyline. She writes that it "embodies the best of popular Indonesian cinema."
Ade Irwansyah of Tabloid Bintang listed November 1828 as the 7th best Indonesian film of all time.
External links
- November 1828 on the Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...