Bumi Manusia (movie review)

 

Some weeks ago, I watched an Indonesian masterpiece with my wife. The movie’s title was Bumi Manusia. Or in English, “The Earth of the Mankind”. It was a historical fiction containing a love story between a Javanese called Minke and a half-Dutch, half-Javanese girl named Annelies. Minke and Annelies first met at Annelies’ house. That day, one of Minke’s friends at school, Surhoff, challenged Minke to come with him to see a beautiful girl (Annelies), because Surhoff was friends with her brother, Robert. 

Minke and Annelies grew to love each other. Their love was pure. Even Annelies’ mother, Nyai Ontosoroh, really liked their relationship. Nyai permitted Minke to call her “Mama”.

Annelies’ father, a Dutchman, was a heavy drunk. He always came home escorted by some people after drinking a lot of alcohol and, also many times, after doing “something” at the prostitute center.

Annelies’ father never married Nyai Ontosoroh formally. She was a ‘gundik’. Her father sold her to Annelies’ father when she was very young. But they were happy at first, for a little while. Annelies’ father taught Nyai Ontosoroh a lot, and they had two children: Robert and Annelies.

Meanwhile, Minke’s father was a “Raden”. Not long after the movie started, Minke’s father became the district leader.

The rest of the movies’ storyline is there for you to find out yourselves. I think you will thank me later. J