Guru Bangsa Tjokroaminoto

This film tells the story about a pioneer of national ideas

in the early 20th century.

That time, Indonesia was known as East Indies or Dutch East Indies.

The main characters in this movie are based on true events,

and some other characters are adapted from several sources at that time.

KALISOSOK PRISON, SURABAYA, 1921

I am Cecilius Van Dijk,

Dutch East Indies' police officer.

I want to get a confession from Mr. Tjokro

based on the collected evidence

of the riots in Garut City, West Java.

We have found the evidence that you,

Oemar Said Tjokroaminoto, leader of the Bumiputera community,

Islamic Union,

did not only falsely testify,

but is also the mastermind behind the riots.

Please, Mr. Tjokro.

Please be polite.

Turn around

and get close to the table.

I'll do it by myself.

Isn't my arrival here of my own volition?

If it's not for my own will,

then your soldier wouldn't be able to defeat the people.

I don't want violence before my eyes.

Are you able to commit violence, Mr. Tjokro?

I am Oemar Said Tjokroaminoto.

A Bumiputera Muslim.

The leader of Islamic Union that has two million members,

the largest community in East Indies.

Understands the laws of God.

I'm the first Javanese to be the member of Volksraad.

OSVIA graduate.

My grandfather, Tjokronegoro I had served as the regent of Ponorogo.

My grandfather from the other side,

Kyai Kasan Besari,

was a famous kyai

who taught me the value of life as a Javanese.

PONOROGO, EAST JAVA, 1895

Damn!

What are you doing?

Do you know how much it costs? Get away.

Get away!

We bought your grandfather as an expensive slave

from the slave market in Batavia.

The best rubber tapper slave.

Now you, you sluggard!

Recently, the Dutch East Indies empire

became the number two rubber exporter in the world.

Now, because of a stupid slacker like you,

the empire's economy withdrew.

Hurry up. Start walking.

Look at the prints your dirty paws leave behind.

Do you think I wanted to come to this country?

In this country, we are failures!

We are outcasts!

For years,

I haven't felt the cold of snow. And now?

Your cursed sun is burning me!

Work hard,

send rubber,

sugar, and various coffees

to the political authorities

who just sit on their asses,

relaxing in the empire,

in the cafes,

who are just good at talking!

Never getting bitten by mosquitos!

Mosquitos!

-Aim for the nose! The nose! -Stop it!

-The nose! -Stop!

-The nose! -Why do you need those books?

-The nose! -Stop!

Tjokro.

Back to your place.

This is Europe.

And here is the Netherlands.

This part is the Central Asia.

Here is Australia.

And this is the Dutch East Indies.

The Earth feels cramped

with the presence of the steamboat

and the opening of the Suez Canal.

Now that you can travel faster from Asia to Europe,

what do you think will happen?

Who knows what will happen?

-Who knows? -I know what will happen, ma'am.

Europeans will come to look for what they don't have.

-Rubber, coffee, -Shut your mouth!

nutmeg, cloves and tobacco for their factories.

-They also look for ports -Shut up!

to take away our resources.

Europeans here only become kings for a day.

You talk too much.

-Mr. Jansen who lives behind the school -Shut your mouth!

has very long arms,

-and instructs people casually. -Shut your mouth!

He has 320 maids.

320 people!

Tjokro, remember.

Important words from the Prophet Muhammad.

Hegira.

To move from a bad place to a better place.

Be like this lamp.

Get people to look for the bright path.

The second word from the Prophet that you have to remember,

Iqra.

Read.

Read.

Tonight, Mr. Tjokroamiseno is holding a ceremony,

inviting Wayang Beber Tawangalun,

to purify his son who was born

along with the eruption of Mount Krakatoa.

Hopefully, with this ceremony,

Tjokroaminoto will become a great leader.

PONOROGO, EAST JAVA, 1904

The bride is passing through!

All right!

PONOROGO, EAST JAVA, 1905

RUBBER EXPORT FROM PONOROGO, 345 TONS

Stop!

I've told you

many times.

Wear gloves.

Hold it! Do not let go.

Hold it, so the bacteria in your hands die.

I've told you many times,

but it never gets through to your stupid little brains.

Stop working!

Stop!

Listen closely, everybody.

Your hands...

Your hands are full with infectious diseases.

What if we get sick?

What can all of you do?

Understand?

Stupid.

You're like monkeys.

And that is why I am here.

I want everybody to listen carefully.

Every rule that...

Stop what you're doing.

Stop typing!

Shameless bastard.

Like I said,

for every rule violated,

you will get a punishment.

What do you want?

What do you want?

Sit down, please.

What?

Sit.

This tea is hot.

But my hands are also used to the heat from the sun.

This tea was planted in their soil, with their hard work.

You enjoy this tea every morning and afternoon.

For the welfare of your country.

Fire Tjokroaminoto!

Work!

Tjokro!

Tjokro!

Do you really want to quit your job?

If that's true, get out of this house.

This is about honor.

Kings in Java

have lost their powers.

There's no more absolute power.

The absolute power is already in the hands of Dutch East Indies' government.

Our family was given a good position.

Land.

I've told you,

a house is not just a residence.

It's not just a house, but a position,

where we keep our dignity.

And now, you've destroyed that dignity.

Do you understand?

Stupid.

Stupid!

Where are you going?

I've always told you about those blood that dripped on the cotton.

You are also probably getting tired of seeing it.

I don't know.

Where should I bring these voices?

The word "Hegira" always rings in my ears. Every time.

That makes me feel uneasy.

I get it.

Because that's what you always talked about since we first met.

If migrating is the only way

to stop blood and tears that is always calling to you,

I'll wait.

I'll follow you from behind.

This isn't just for us.

But also for this baby.

This is clearly not appropriate.

Where's that guy's responsibility as a husband?

All he can do is travel here and there. What does he do out there?

What?

What?

How about this?

What a pity, to have this child.