This review may contain slight spoilers.
Johan's (Joris Putman) father owns a tea estate in the Dutch colony of the Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia. The Dutch colonists live a life of luxury, surrounded by servants and workers from the local indigenous communities. Johan's best friend is his buddy Oeroeg (Ramelan Bekkema), whose father works as Johan's dad's personal servant. Together the two best buddies, who call each other blood brothers, would go to school to receive an Eurocentric education, learning all about Holland but little about the island on which they live.
During WWII the island was invaded by the Japanese. Some of the Dutch returned to Holland, whilst a few stayed behind. We meet Johan, now a young man, again in 1947 when he enlists in the Dutch army for duty in Indonesia. There are political uprisings in that country and armed insurgents seem poised to take over. Johan's knowledge of the country and language made him a natural choice and he gets appointed lieutenant.
Back in Indonesia he learns that his friend Oeroeg is now a leader of one of the rebel groups. Shortly after Johan arrived back, his father gets murdered. It seems as if Oeroeg's gang is behind the murder. Johan is determined to find Oeroeg. It seems as if the two erstwhile friends are on a collision course.
I found 'Oeroeg' technically an accomplished film with great cinematography and set. The acting is fine, although not outstanding.
I have seen a few films dealing with the impact of the transition from colonial to self-governing rule on the friendship between kids from both sides of the sociopolitical spectrum. It is specifically the dynamics in relationship between colonists' kids and children from the indigenous population that are highlighted, as their adopted and home country gains independence. Here I think of the excellent 'Cartouches Gauloises' ('Summer of '62') of 2007 by director Mehdi Charef, and 'Quelque part vers Conakry' ('Somewhere Near Conakry') of 1992 by Françoise Ebrard. 'Oeroeg' compares well with them, even though this film's emphasis is somewhat different. 7/10.
Johan's (Joris Putman) father owns a tea estate in the Dutch colony of the Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia. The Dutch colonists live a life of luxury, surrounded by servants and workers from the local indigenous communities. Johan's best friend is his buddy Oeroeg (Ramelan Bekkema), whose father works as Johan's dad's personal servant. Together the two best buddies, who call each other blood brothers, would go to school to receive an Eurocentric education, learning all about Holland but little about the island on which they live.
During WWII the island was invaded by the Japanese. Some of the Dutch returned to Holland, whilst a few stayed behind. We meet Johan, now a young man, again in 1947 when he enlists in the Dutch army for duty in Indonesia. There are political uprisings in that country and armed insurgents seem poised to take over. Johan's knowledge of the country and language made him a natural choice and he gets appointed lieutenant.
Back in Indonesia he learns that his friend Oeroeg is now a leader of one of the rebel groups. Shortly after Johan arrived back, his father gets murdered. It seems as if Oeroeg's gang is behind the murder. Johan is determined to find Oeroeg. It seems as if the two erstwhile friends are on a collision course.
I found 'Oeroeg' technically an accomplished film with great cinematography and set. The acting is fine, although not outstanding.
I have seen a few films dealing with the impact of the transition from colonial to self-governing rule on the friendship between kids from both sides of the sociopolitical spectrum. It is specifically the dynamics in relationship between colonists' kids and children from the indigenous population that are highlighted, as their adopted and home country gains independence. Here I think of the excellent 'Cartouches Gauloises' ('Summer of '62') of 2007 by director Mehdi Charef, and 'Quelque part vers Conakry' ('Somewhere Near Conakry') of 1992 by Françoise Ebrard. 'Oeroeg' compares well with them, even though this film's emphasis is somewhat different. 7/10.