Best Indonesian history movies
A curated collection of popular history movies from Indonesia.
Tjoet Nja' Dhien (1988)
Tjoet Nja' Dhien (1988)
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.
The Fugitive (2019)
The Fugitive (2019)
Six months after PETA's failure to fight Nippon, Hardo returns to his village in Blora. His presence is smelled by Nippon, tracked and pursued. In a chase one day and night before the proclamation of independence, a drama of struggle is revealed. The betrayal of Hardo's fiance's father is juxtaposed with the betrayal of his best friend Karmin; the resistance of Dipo and Kartiman juxtaposed with Hardo's resistance; the cruelty of the war and the ego of the invaders, a shidokan of Nippon juxtaposed with the deterioration of war victims of Hardo and Ningsih's father.
Kadet 1947 (2021)
Kadet 1947 (2021)
When the Dutch initiates an aggression against Indonesia to regain its rule post World War II, a group of inexperienced cadets need to defend the last remaining airbase so they may have a chance to help the Republic win the revolutionary war and to protect what they have come to care for.
Treachery of G30S/PKI (1984)
Treachery of G30S/PKI (1984)
The official story of the events surrounding the September 30 to October 1, 1965 attempted coup d'etat in Indonesia by a group calling itself the "30 September Movement", leading to the downfall of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) and the rise of Suharto's New Order regime.
Six Hours in Djogja (1951)
Six Hours in Djogja (1951)
Depicting the celebrated recapture of the town of Yogyakarta from Dutch forces in March 1949, by Indonesian youth of the resistance and members of the Indonesian army. Although it was held only for a few hours, it resulted in a UN resolution calling on the Dutch to leave.
Merry Riana: A Million Dollars Dream (2014)
Chrisye (2017)
Chrisye (2017)
In this biopic, Christian Rahadi – aka Chrisye – overcomes early failures, family strife and anxiety to become one of Indonesia's legendary musicians.
Solo, Solitude (2017)
Solo, Solitude (2017)
The Suharto regime has been holding power in Indonesia for over 30 years, shutting down democracy time and time again. Highly critical of the regime and unafraid to speak his mind, Wiji Thukul is a poet whose words are often yelled proudly by the crowd during political protests. When riots break out in Jakarta in 1996, he and a few other activists are accused to be responsible. Forced to flee, Wiji escapes to Pontianak in Borneo where he hides for eight months, sometimes living with complete strangers. There, he has to change his identity several times, but continues to write poetry and short stories under a pen name. In the meantime, in Solo, central Java, his wife, Sipon, lives with their two children under constant surveillance. In May 1998, Wiji Thukul is declared missing, a month before Suharto is deposed by his own people.
Susi Susanti: Love All (2019)
Before, Now & Then (2022)
Before, Now & Then (2022)
Set against Indonesia’s turbulent post-independence years in the 1960s, the story revolves around the domestic life of a woman whose personal life has been completely overturned by the political turmoil.
The Enlightener (2010)
The Enlightener (2010)
Returning from Mecca, Darwis changes his name to Ahmad Dahlan as he is disturbed by the trend of Islamic laws in his society; that borders on heresy, Syrik (polytheism), and Bid’ah (wrong innovation). Using a compass, he proves that the direction of Qibla (that points to Mecca), in the Great Mosque of Kauman is wrong. The discovery angers every Kyai (Islamic experts), especially the head of the Great Mosque of Kauman, Kyai Penghulu Cholil Kamaludiningrat. Dahlan, who studied in Mecca for five years, is seen as a rebel upstart. Since the proposal of changing the direction of Qibla is rejected, Dahlan starts a movement calling for the change. On his first sermon as a preacher, Dahlan criticizes the habits of residents in his village in Yogyakarta: "In a prayer, only a sincere and patient heart is needed, it requires no Kyais, money, let alone offerings". As a result, Dahlan gets a hostile reception.
Anwar: The Untold Story (2023)
Anwar: The Untold Story (2023)
It follows the story of Anwar's fight against corruption while in government between the years of 1993 and 1998, which led to his eventual imprisonment and the birth of the reformasi movement.
Jokowi (2013)
Jokowi (2013)
This film was released on, June 20, 2013 the day before 52nd birthday of Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo, June 21, 2013, which coincides with the 486th anniversary of Jakarta City. Which tells of a carpenter's son named Joko Widodo, who lived in a small home side of river-banks. Childhood are far from sufficient. But it did not dampen the spirit of children's village duck egg hunter to continue school to higher education. His love of Rock music which persisted until the time he became a great leader of Indonesia future, as was able to motivate the spirit of life. Love story with Iriana, a simple girl, His sister school friend became encouragement's future leader to face various challenges.
Hamka & Siti Raham Vol. 2 (2023)
Sunan Kalijaga (1983)
Sunan Kalijaga (1983)
Raden Mas Said, the first son of Tumenggung Wilarikta, who rules Tuban, a district in the powerful kingdom of Majapahit, sees a poor family who suffers from hunger. He tries to take some food out secretly. His parents disapprove, and as punishment, he is locked inside the food storage. Since the incident, R.M. Said, does not feel comfortable at home. So he travels from one place to another and witnesses many cases of fraud and injustice. The Tumenggung is often blamed to cover up their crimes. Listening to his son's report, his father realises the real situation. Then he meets Sunan Bonang, who teaches his knowledge to R.M. Said. They meditate together on a riverbank. Due to his dedication, R.M. Said gets a "Nur" (enlightenment) from God. Shortly after, he is appointed as a Wali (a dated term for Islamic leader), and becomes the famous one amongst the Nine Great Wali (Wali Sanga). He is known as Sunan Kalijaga.
Sembilan Wali (1985)
Sembilan Wali (1985)
As a result of the civil war in Majapahit, the Queen Mother fled to Ampel escorted by Mahesa Kicak. There happened to be gathered saints. The Queen Mother asked those who still have close links with the Majapahit, can restore the honor of Majapahit. Sunan Ampel explained, that padepokannya built just to spread Islam.
We Are Moluccans (2014)
We Are Moluccans (2014)
Sani Tawainella, a former soccer player, founds a prominent youth club in Indonesia to help children avoid religious conflicts.
Ken Arok - Ken Dedes (1983)
Ken Arok - Ken Dedes (1983)
Lembong, a robber, raises Ken Arok in a dark world after finding him in a cemetery as a baby. Due to his outrageous behaviour, Ken Arok is expelled and has to live with Bango Samparan. Even this does not last long, when the wife of Samparan takes a dislike to him. Then Ken Arok also becomes a fugitive of the Emperor since he often plunders royal tributes. One day, he meets a priest, Loh Gawe, who provides him with skills of leadership. Meanwhile, the Regent of Tumapel, Tunggul Ametung, kidnaps Ken Dedes to make her his wife. Then Ken Arok is recruited as a soldier of Tumapel. Inside the palace, he sees Ken Dedes and immediately falls in love. The bad intention to kill Tunggul Ametung comes to his mind. Since Loh Gawe does not agree with his intention, Ken Arok gets an approval from his adoptive father, Bango Samparan. Shortly after, he orders a keris (a wavy knife) from Empu Gandring, a famous blade smith.
Tutur Tinular III (Pendekar Syair Berdarah) (1992)
Tutur Tinular III (Pendekar Syair Berdarah) (1992)
Arya Dwipangga (Baron Hermanto) is disturbing the kingdom of Majapahit in order to wreak revenge on Kamandanu (Sandy Nayoan), while the kingdom assumes that the troublemaker if Mpu Bajil (Wingky Haroen), who is preoccupied with learning the teachings of Aji Segara Geni. As a part of this training, he has already bathed in the blood of seven child descendents of warriors. He is now planning to kidnap the nephew of Kamandanu, Panji (Sawung Sembadha), the child of Dwipangga and Ratih (see Tutur Tinular). A battle ensues between Bajil and Kamandanu, who has been instructed by the king to bring back Bajil’s head.