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Indonesian Film Review: Van der Wijck

The film is based on Hamka's novel from 1939 about love and cultural conflict in 1930s West Sumatra. It tells the story of Zainuddin who falls for Hayati after visiting his ancestral village, but faces opposition from villagers due to his mixed heritage. Hayati is later forced to marry another man, breaking her promise to Zainuddin. The film explores their intertwined fates and the sinking of the ship Van der Wijck carrying Hayati. While lacking the novel's deeper criticism of Minang traditions, it depicts the Minang landscape beautifully and Herjunot Ali's performance makes this an excellent Indonesian romantic drama.

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393 views3 pages

Indonesian Film Review: Van der Wijck

The film is based on Hamka's novel from 1939 about love and cultural conflict in 1930s West Sumatra. It tells the story of Zainuddin who falls for Hayati after visiting his ancestral village, but faces opposition from villagers due to his mixed heritage. Hayati is later forced to marry another man, breaking her promise to Zainuddin. The film explores their intertwined fates and the sinking of the ship Van der Wijck carrying Hayati. While lacking the novel's deeper criticism of Minang traditions, it depicts the Minang landscape beautifully and Herjunot Ali's performance makes this an excellent Indonesian romantic drama.

Uploaded by

anto gusunarto
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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A Review on Tenggelamnya Kapal van der Wijck

Tenggelamnya Kapal Van der Wijck (The Sinking of the Van der Wijck) is a
2013 Indonesian romantic drama film directed by Sunil Soraya and written by
Imam Tantowi and Dhony Dirgantoro. The film casts Pevita Pearce, Herjunot
Ali and Reza Rahadian as the main leads. The movie is based on Hamka's
novel, Tenggelamnya Kapal van der Wijck (1939), and it was released at
theaters on 19 December 2013. The film takes the theme of love and cultural
conflict in 1930s.
The story begins when Zainuddin (Herjunot Ali), a young man of Minang
descent who has lived and grown up in Makassar, goes to Batipuh, Tanah
Datar, West Sumatra, to visit his father's birthplace and a deepen his
spirituality. Zainuddin's arrival is not welcomed by the villagers due to his
family background. Zainuddin's father who came from Minang married his
mother who came from Bugis, Makassar. Minang people still held to the
maternal lineage firmly. However, Zainuddin determinedly decides to stay in
Batipuh and he is more determined after meeting a beautiful girl named Hayati
(Pevita Pearce). This triggers violent obstacles from the villagers and Zainuddin
is forced to leave Batipuh. Before leaving, Zainuddin and Hayati promise to love
each other and Hayati promises to wait for Zainudin.

The problem becomes worse when Hayati is proposed to by a wealthy man of


pure Minang descent, Aziz (Reza Rahadian). Forced by her family, Hayati
accepts the proposal, breaking her promise to Zainuddin. Feeling broken-
hearted, Zainuddin leaves Minang and ventures to Jaya Island. With his talent
as a writer, Zainuddin gains fame as well as fortune. Meanwhile, destiny makes
Zainudin and Hayati meet once again. At a book-launching, Zainuddin meets
Hayati as Aziz's wife.

This time, the wheel of fortune turns around. Aziz loses his money and
properties due to gambling. Aziz and Hayati come to Zainuddin's big house to
borrow some money and ask for a temporary shelter. Zainudin grants the
request. Feeling ashamed, Aziz commits suicide and gives up on Hayati.
Although Zainudin loves Hayati, he rejects her because Hayati had broken
their promise. Zainudin sends her back to Padang on a royal ship, the Van der
Wijck. Unfortunately, on the way to Padang, the ship sinks together with
Hayati, leaving Zainuddin with the pain of Hayati's death. Zainudin continues
living in deep remorse.

Unlike the novel, the screenwriter of Tenggelamnya Kapal Van der Wijck fails to
dig deeper on the morals. The film merely expresses a universal lesson. It's a
story of a man who learne to achieve success from his failure and sorrow. In
the novel, Buya Hamka criticised a lot about the Minang customs and
tradition. The film lacks of criticism about Minang old customs and tradition.
Despite the shallowness of Minang customs in the movie,  Herjunot Ali
succeeded in playing the role of Zainudin. His performance is as charming as
that in Di Bawah Lindungan Ka'bah, a similar themed film by the same author.

Overall, Tenggelamnya Kapal Van der Wijck is an excellent Indonesian film.


The movie portrays the scenic panorama of Minang land. The sweet original
soundtracks from Nidji, such as "Nelangsa" and "Terusir", make the film
unforgettable. This is a worthwhile film to see.

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