Classical Indonesian cinema


Classical Indonesian cinema is a term used in film criticism to describe both a narrative and visual style of Indonesian filmmaking which first developed in the 1926 to 1965.

History

1926–1945: Colonial era and emergence of the classical style

The first film produced in colonial era was a silent fiction Loetoeng Kasaroeng, who was based from Lutung Kasarung, a community legend from Parahyangan. It was sometimes credited as the first film of Indonesian cinema, and the first colonial film to feature a native-Indonesian cast from priyayi noble, who was the relative of Wiranatakusumah V. The film was screened in December 1926, and marks Bandung as the birthplace of Indonesian film.
In 1927, The second film produced in colonial era, Eulis Atjih, was released. It was the first film where Indonesian language was used for the first time, and mark the directorial debut of G. Krugers. It was screened at Orient Theater in Surabaya, East Java, and also mark the beginning of Indonesian film.

Major figures from classic Indonesian cinema

List of selected notable films

The following is a list of notable Indonesian films that were made during classical age.

Colonial era

Loetoeng Kasaroeng Eulis Atjih Lily van Java Njai Dasima Nancy Bikin Pembalesan Melati van Agam Njai Dasima