Restored Asian Films
Tjoet Nja' Dhien
Film Synopsis
“Set in 1896, Tjoet Nja Dhien celebrates one of Indonesia’s great heroes who fought for independence from the Dutch. The pious Muslim people of Aceh, a city that had flourished since ancient times as a trade port, enter into a fierce war with the Dutch. Tjoet Nja ‘Dhien, the widow of a rebel leader operating in Aceh in Sumatra, assumes the leadership when her husband Teuku Uma is killed in an ambush. ‘Dhien’s charismatic presence and power of survival motivate the locals to join and later continue their opposition to the Dutch. Despite personal obstacles, she remained in the thick of the struggle for ten years.” (Imdb)
Tjoet Nja Dien was technically groundbreaking in Indonesian cinema. It was the first Indonesian film to use Dolby stereo, and the D.O.P of the film, George Kamarula, gave the picture a more ‘European’ look. The film was praised for its lighting.
Film Details
Alternate Titles:
Language: Malay (inc. Malaysian and Indonesian)
Original Production Country: Indonesia
Original Release Year: 1988
Original Elements Held By: Eye Filmmuseum
Original Distribution Company:
Production Company: Eka Praya Film
Executive Producer:
Producers: Eros Djarot, Alwin Arifin, and Alwin Abdullah
Director: Eros Djarot
Writer: Eros Djarot
Cinematography: George Kamarullah
Editor: Karsono Hadi
Sound Editor: Hartanto and Phil Judd
Music/Score: Christo Curtis, Idris Sardi
Narrator:
Other Credits: With: Christine Hakim, Piet Burnama, Rudy Wowor, Slamet Rahardjo
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
Colour System: Colour
Colour Process:
Duration: 108 mins
Restoration Details
Status: Released
Country Where Restored: Netherlands
Country Restoration First Screened:
Lab Image Restored By: Eye Filmmuseum, Haghe Film and IdFilmCentre Foundation
Lab Audio Restored By: Haghe Film
Archive Partner(s) in Restoration: NFSA
Restored Elements Held By: Eye Filmmuseum
Restoration Funded By: Eye Filmmuseum and IdFilmCentre Foundation
Restoration Premiere:
Restoration General Release Date:
Screening Rights Held By: Eros Djarot and Alwin Abdullah
BD/DVD Release:
Genre
Awards
Film Facts
The film was well received in Indonesia, winning 9 Citra Awards at the 1988 Indonesian Film Festival. It was chosen as Indonesia’s submission to the 62nd Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film, but did not become a nominee. It was also the first Indonesian movie chosen for screening at the Cannes Film Festival, where it was awarded Best International Film in 1989. Tjoet Nja Dhien, that was premiered in Cannes in the section Un Certain Regard in 1989.
This version was edited for festival distribution, which was different than the original cut shown in Indonesia.
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