Denying the Dutch: A scene from Red and White
A pemberontakan of Indonesia
By John Esther
Reportedly the most expensive film in Indonesian film history, Red and White (Merah Putih) attempts to recreate the spirit of Indonesia's 1947 struggle for independence against the Dutch vis-a-vis the Van Mook offensive in Central Java.
Opening with a particularly ugly scene of belligerent barbarism by the Dutch, Red and White creates a band of insiders whose differences fold under the weight of imperialist occupation.
A chicken farmer from North Sulawesi who fights like "a tiger," Tomas (Donny Alamsyah) joins the resistance after viewing the slaughter of his entire family, including his younger sister and brother. A Christian from a lower economic class, Tomas immediately makes enemies with Marius (Darius Sinathrya) a "city boy" whose only interest in the rebellion is becoming an officer who will attract the ladies. More sincere and smarter, Marius' best friend, Soerono (Zumi Zola), is also from the Javanese class -- Indonesia's privileged class.
These three, along with many other characters from various walks of life -- including Amir (Lukman Sardi), a devout Muslim and unassuming martial artist -- drop their differences and unite under attack.
Consisting of considerable character development while inconsiderate for bourgeois notions of audience identification (especially when you consider its big budget), Red and White refuses to spare the viewer about the ugliness of imperialism and war. The Dutch are bad in this film, but some Indonesians are hardly any more admirable. Violence begets violence and as more and more comrades die, the cause becomes more obscured as revenge accompanies rebellion.
A highly satisfying film, considering the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival is screening this one for free, filmgoers have little to lose for the red and white (the colors of Indonesia's flag).