Jakarta (40 Years of Silence: An Indonesian Tragedy)

Photo: Production stills, 40 Years of Silence: An Indonesian Tragedy

40 Years of Silence: An Indonesian Tragedy

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“Directed by anthropologist Robert Lemelson and edited by two-time Academy Award winner Pietro Scalia, “40 Years of Silence: An Indonesian Tragedy” is a moving feature length documentary film about one of the most horrific chapters in Indonesia’s history.

In one of the largest unknown mass killings of the 20th century, an estimated 500,000 to 1,000,000 people were secretly and systematically killed in 1965-1966, when General Suharto began a bloody purge of suspected communists throughout Indonesia.

Under his authoritarian rule, any discussion, recognition or memorializing of the mass killings that differed from the Suharto’s official state narrative was quickly suppressed.

“40 Years of Silence: An Indonesian Tragedy” follows the compelling testimonies of four individuals and their families from Central Java and Bali, two regions heavily affected by the purge.

As they break their silence publicly for the first time, each family provides an intimate and frightening look at what it was like for survivors of the mass killings.

In chilling detail, they describe the events of 1965 through their own experiences; re-living and reflecting upon the stigmatization and brutalization that they continue to endure on both the village and state levels.

Over time, the survivors and their families attempt to find ways to deal with a tragedy that was not openly recognized by their neighbors, government or the world.

Through their stories, the audience will come to understand modern-day Indonesia’s potential for retribution, rehabilitation and reconciliation within this troubled historical context.

The characters’ narratives illustrate that such violence creates tears in the social and political fabric of society, which can take generations to heal.

Music

Genjer Genjer by Dengue Fever

Dengue Fever is a Los Angeles based band that combines Cambodian pop music with psychedelic rock. Their rendition of the song “Genjer Genjer” is featured in the film. The song “Genjer Genjer” was initially written about women who gather the genjer plant, tie it in bunches, and sell it in the market. The song later became associated with the Indonesian communist party, and the government banned its performance.

Indonesia Postmodern compilation by Elemental Productions

This eclectic compilation of Indonesian music arose out of 7 years of studio and field recordings looking at culture and mental illness in Bali and Java. Many of the films, spanning up to a decade in the lives of their central characters, are still in the process of being shot and edited. But the songs, gathered and recorded during downtime in Indonesia and at home in the US, gradually increased in number, eventually becoming a project of its own.

“The film’s score, which was edited by Richard Henderson (“Borat,” “The Life Aquatic”), is entirely original and complements the intense testimonies of the participants.” -Anita B. Hofschneider, The Harvard Crimson, February 20, 2009.

MUSIC EDITOR

Richard Henderson

Richard Henderson attended S.U.N.Y. Buffalo in the late 70’s and studied film history. Richard’s vibrant career path led him to work as a music editor and music supervisor on such acclaimed films like Borat, The Life Aquatic, and Into The Wild, which won him the Golden Reel Award. He is currently working on the sequel to Borat called Bruno with Sacha Baron Cohen.

COMPOSER

Malcolm Cross

Malcolm Cross studied music performance and composition in London at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He also completed additional postgraduate studies in Jazz and Studio Music. Malcolm’s past work includes original film scores for “Insomniac Obsessions” directed by Paul Cameron Carter, “Oh Saigon” documentary directed by Doan Hoang, “I Dream of Dog” directed by Jessica Rice, and “The Grey” by Norman Trotter IV.

THEME SONG

Genjer-Genjer

Inspired to write about the economic conditions of his town, Banyuwangi, Muhammed Arief wrote the song “Genjer Genjer,” the theme song in the “40 Years of Silence.” In 1942, the Japanese held colonial rule over Indonesia. The Japanese took all the crops grown in the town, which resulted in conditions of poverty and famine. The townspeople resorted to eating a weed that grew in the paddies, called the genjer plant (limnocharis flava). The lyrics of the song “Genjer Genjer” are about women who pick the young genjer leaves, tie them in bunches, and sell them in the market.

Arief later joined Lekra (Lembaga Kebudayaan Rakyat), an artists group that shared ideology with the Communist party. The artists in Lekra began to sing and perform the song, and the song quickly became popular among Indonesians of all political leanings. The song became even more popular when two famous singers, Bing Slamet and Lilis Suryani, began to perform and record the song everywhere. The song later was sung at Communist political rallies, and its presumed association with the PKI increased.

Later, a college newspaper called Harian KAMI (Kesatuan Aksi Mahasiswa Indonesia), published altered lyrics to “Genjer Genjer.” Instead of describing how the genjer plant was picked, sold, and eaten with rice, this version described how it was Communist supporters that were responsible for the coup that led to the death of the six military generals on September 30, 1965. These lyrics also implicated Gerwani, a women’s organization, of being involved in torturing the generals. Although these were not the original lyrics, the publication of this version of the song further strengthened the public perception that the “Genjer Genjer” was associated with the Communist party.

As a result, the Indonesian government banned the song entirely. Anyone who was known to have performed or recorded the song was subject to suspicion and often arrest. Thus, the song “Genjer Genjer” now holds great significance for Indonesia’s political history.