Dutch Colonialism in Literature and Cinema

The colonial period and resistance movements against colonialism have always been prevalent in Indonesian cinema, as well as fiction and non-fiction writing. Two works focusing on this colonial period, Child of All Nations by Pramoedya Ananta Toer and Eros Djarot‘s film, Tjoet Nja’ Dhien have many similarities, but differences as well. Each work takes its turn in relating both the histories and the personal struggles of the Indonesians against European colonialism. The movie, in particular, evokes an educational and an historical feeling as it focuses on an actual woman, Tjoet Nja’ Dhien - the wife of a prominent political leader in Aceh - who led groups of Indonesian resistance fighters in the longest lasting resistance to Dutch colonialism ever. 

Throughout the struggles of colonialism, it is blatantly apparent over and over again - through history, literature and cinema - that the indigenous people being subjected to colonization have difficulty maintaining and perpetuating their identities, language and culture. An instance of this hardship is noticed early on in the novel during which the main character, a successful, educated writer named Minke, is criticized for writing in Dutch rather than his native, Malay, language. Jean Marais criticizes Minke saying: 

There is something I feel is a great pity. Something that thousands of other people feel is a great pity too: Why do you only write in Dutch? Who do you only speak to the Dutch and the others who understand their language? You owe nothing to them, just as your mother once told you. What do you expect from them that makes you want to speak only to them? (Pramoedya 57)