Classical Indonesian cinema

Film classic Siti Akbari (1938) starring Rd Mochtar and Roekiah
Years active	1926–1965
Location	Indonesia
Influences	One Thousand and One Nights

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 (1926), who was based from Lutung Kasarung, a community legend from Parahyangan. ^[1] 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. ^{[1] [2]} The film was screened in December 1926, and marks Bandung as the birthplace of Indonesian film. ^[3]

In 1927, The second film produced in colonial era, Eulis Atjih, was released. ^[2] It was the first film where Indonesian language was used for the first time, and mark the directorial debut of G. Krugers. ^[2] It was screened at Orient Theater in Surabaya, East Java, and also mark the beginning of Indonesian film. ^[3]

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. ^[4]

Colonial era

References