Hearts of Freedom


Hearts of Freedom or Hati Merdeka, is a 2011 Indonesian drama fiction historical film and was the third film in the Merah Putih trilogy. The first was Merah Putih, followed by Darah Garuda. The films describe how a group of Indonesian army cadets fight for freedom from Dutch colonialism. This film is an adaptation of the Japanese propaganda film Hati Merdeka by Andreas Liong and Ignatius Matulessy in 1944.

Context

Set during the revolution in early 1948, HEARTS OF FREEDOM follows a band of cadets who become elite guerrilla soldiers following a 1947 massacre of their cadet classmates.

Plot

After completing a tragic mission in which one of the band's most beloved members is killed, the band's loyalty to the cause is put to the ultimate test when their leader, Amir resigns from the Army in disgust. Leaderless and heartsick over their losses, the cadets carry their vendetta for revenge against the Dutch to the high seas in a dangerous mission to Bali, home island of the maimed mute Dayan, where they are sent to kill the Dutch militia Colonel Raymer, who murdered the family of the band's new leader Tomas in the opening of RED AND WHITE. Facing the cannons of a Dutch PT boat, the hard-drinking playboy Marius must overcome his fears as he rivals Tomas for the affections of the starchy aristocrat's daughter Senja.
Arriving in Bali, the band saves the woman Dayu from the ravages of Colonel Raymer's KNIL militia, but one of the heroes is nearly killed. As their friend hovers between life and death, the band finds the caves of rebel leader Wayan Suta. Tomas clashes with their former commander, Amir as they plan a final assault against Raymer's militia, raising the question: how far can the revolution go to defeat evil, and still retain its ideals?

Cast