The Dutch colonial government used film as propaganda to establish and showcase their colonial agenda while recording footage in the Dutch East Indies (current Indonesia) for almost half a century,...Show moreThe Dutch colonial government used film as propaganda to establish and showcase their colonial agenda while recording footage in the Dutch East Indies (current Indonesia) for almost half a century, especially during the Era of Revolution (1945-49). These propaganda films served two major purposes. Firstly, targeting domestic audiences (in the earlier period) they were a source of information about Dutch East Indies for Dutch citizens and researchers. They created a positive impression about the colony, to inspire missionaries, and to attract entrepreneurs to invest money in Dutch East Indies. Secondly, aiming both at national and international audiences (during the Era of Revolution and the decolonisation period) they helped justify Dutch presence in Indonesia presenting the Dutch as sympathetic and useful friends in war-torn conditions. Interestingly, not everyone agreed with the ideology of the Dutch colonial government. Joris Ivens (1898-1989) was one of the most famous and controversial Dutch film-makers in the Netherlands, who dared to swim against the tide. Ivens challenged the trends in Dutch propaganda films with his most renowned work Indonesia Calling! (released in 1946). This study throws light into the life and career of Joris Ivens. It also describes the difficulties faced by him because of his revolutionary activities. Mapping the role and motivation of Joris Ivens, who was a well-known communist and anti-colonial propagandist, is the major contribution of this thesis.Show less
