History and films

History and films

From Media Indonesia

I would like to thank all the people involved in making the
film Fatahillah possible, especially producer Surjadi Soedirdja.
The film is a denial of the prevailing image that Indonesian
films lack quality.

But the three-billion rupiah film shows flaws in historical
accuracy. As a history teacher, I have my doubts about the
contents of the film.

Fatahillah or Faletehan was, according to textbooks published
by Balai Pustaka, Tiga Serangkai and Erlangga, a war commander
from Demak who was ordered to expel the Portuguese from Sunda
Kelapa. After Faletehan had chased the Portuguese from Sunda
Kelapa he renamed it Jayakarta. In his old age, Faletehan left
matters of the kingdom to his son and moved to Gunung Jati to
become a Great Scholar with the name of Sunan Gunung Jati. The
film gives a different interpretation.

Fatahillah's task was to expel the Portuguese. At the time,
the Portuguese had settled in Sunda Kelapa and had been working
together with Sri Maha Wasesa, the Padjadjaran King, in trade and
politics and had set up fortresses. Again, the film offers a
different interpretation.

Colossal films made at a high cost such as Fatahillah are
expected to become a catalyst for the ailing Indonesian film
industry. But quality films, interspersed with love and humor,
should not deviate from the story line.

ANTON SUPRIYANTO

Palembang, South Sumatra