Best Indonesian history movies

Habibie wanted to unite Indonesia by designing airplanes. He met his soulmate and underwent his struggle to become the 3rd president of Indonesia.

Love story about two young from Sulawesi

Indonesian activist Soe Hok Gie experiences a political awakening during the tumultuous regimes of Soeharto and Soekarno.

A woman of nobility battles patriarchal norms in order to improve educational access for women in early 1900s Indonesian society.

A Javanese royal and half-Dutch woman fall in love as Indonesia rises to independence from colonial rule.

Rudy met Ilona. Their different visions made it hard to be together. Ilona wants Rudy to stay in Germany and is opposed to his love for Indonesia.

When she was in high school, Ainun was known as a smart girl and became the target of many male students, including Habibie. In college, Ainun became a popular figure. Ahmad is a man who dared to express his love for Ainun.

Set in 1965, a young couple fights to stay together as escalating violence and their opposing political backgrounds threaten to tear them apart.

The Dutch declare unilaterally that they are not longer bound by the Renville Treaty, and to stop the ceasefire. On December 19, 1948, Army Commander General Spoor Noord Simons leads military aggression II to attack Yogyakarta, the capital of the Republic of Indonesia at the time. The Dutch arrested Soekarno-Hatta and exiled them to the island of Bangka. General Soedirman who suffered from tuberculosis leads the guerrilla war for seven months against the Dutch.

The Suharto regime has been holding power in Indonesia for over 30 years, shutting down democracy time and time again. Highly critical of the regime and unafraid to speak his mind, Wiji Thukul is a poet whose words are often yelled proudly by the crowd during political protests. When riots break out in Jakarta in 1996, he and a few other activists are accused to be responsible. Forced to flee, Wiji escapes to Pontianak in Borneo where he hides for eight months, sometimes living with complete strangers. There, he has to change his identity several times, but continues to write poetry and short stories under a pen name. In the meantime, in Solo, central Java, his wife, Sipon, lives with their two children under constant surveillance. In May 1998, Wiji Thukul is declared missing, a month before Suharto is deposed by his own people.

Susi Susanti rises to become Indonesia’s beloved athlete. In time of turmoil, she showed her country & the world that heroism is measured by one’s sacrifice.

Musa, who is only a thirteen-year-old shoe shiner, undergoes destiny through his adventure of waging war during the war time. Will he manage to bring peace among the troops who keep on fighting for nothing?

Set against Indonesia’s turbulent post-independence years in the 1960s, the story revolves around the domestic life of a woman whose personal life has been completely overturned by the political turmoil.

Returning from Mecca, Darwis changes his name to Ahmad Dahlan as he is disturbed by the trend of Islamic laws in his society; that borders on heresy, Syrik (polytheism), and Bid’ah (wrong innovation). Using a compass, he proves that the direction of Qibla (that points to Mecca), in the Great Mosque of Kauman is wrong. The discovery angers every Kyai (Islamic experts), especially the head of the Great Mosque of Kauman, Kyai Penghulu Cholil Kamaludiningrat. Dahlan, who studied in Mecca for five years, is seen as a rebel upstart. Since the proposal of changing the direction of Qibla is rejected, Dahlan starts a movement calling for the change. On his first sermon as a preacher, Dahlan criticizes the habits of residents in his village in Yogyakarta: "In a prayer, only a sincere and patient heart is needed, it requires no Kyais, money, let alone offerings". As a result, Dahlan gets a hostile reception.

This biographical drama about Indonesia's first president recounts his nationalist crusade to seize independence from Dutch colonial rule.

Through the eyes of grandmother Rumidjah, a poor old Christian woman living in the slums of Jakarta, we see the economical changing society of Indonesia and the influence of globalization reflected in the life of her juvenile granddaughter Tari and her sons Bakti and Dwi.

The story of Sultan Agung Hanyakrakusuma, the king of Mataram when he was still a teenager until he becomes a king.

Set in 1896, "Tjoet Nja' Dhien" celebrates one of Indonesia's great heroes who fought for independence from the Dutch. The pious Muslim people of Aceh, a city that had flourished since ancient times as a trade port, enter into a fierce war with the Dutch. Tjoet Nja' Dhien, the widow of a rebel leader operating in Aceh in Sumatra, assumes the leadership when her husband Teuku Uma is killed in an ambush. Dhien's charismatic presence and power of survival motivate the locals to join and later continue their opposition to the Dutch. Despite personal obstacles, she remained in the thick of the struggle for ten years.

Three Indonesian women break records by becoming the first of their nation to medal in archery at the Seoul Olympics in the summer of 1988.

It follows the struggle of clerics to keep Islam alive during the Japanese invasion of Indonesia in 1942.

Merry who lived in Singapore never thought her life would change. She struggled against rejection until she got 1 million dollars at a young age.

In 1912, Javanese activist Omar Said Tjokroaminoto co-founds the Sarekat Islam party to fight injustices of the Dutch East Indies' colonial regime.

An indonesian biopic movie on the controversial former Jakarta governor Ahok.

An idealistic young woman travels to the jungles of Indonesia to teach literacy -- and much more -- to local children.

Six months after PETA's failure to fight Nippon, Hardo returns to his village in Blora. His presence is smelled by Nippon, tracked and pursued. In a chase one day and night before the proclamation of independence, a drama of struggle is revealed. The betrayal of Hardo's fiance's father is juxtaposed with the betrayal of his best friend Karmin; the resistance of Dipo and Kartiman juxtaposed with Hardo's resistance; the cruelty of the war and the ego of the invaders, a shidokan of Nippon juxtaposed with the deterioration of war victims of Hardo and Ningsih's father.

Discover the life of renowned Muslim scholar Buya Hamka, from his humble West Sumatra origins to his political achievements.

After witnessing a child's death during a violent clash, a former soccer player launches a youth team to help local kids avoid further bloodshed.

In this biopic, Christian Rahadi – aka Chrisye – overcomes early failures, family strife and anxiety to become one of Indonesia's legendary musicians.

It follows the story of Anwar's fight against corruption while in government between the years of 1993 and 1998, which led to his eventual imprisonment and the birth of the reformasi movement.

Determined to discover her roots, a young woman travels to Indonesia and pieces together her parents' unconventional love story.

When the Dutch initiates an aggression against Indonesia to regain its rule post World War II, a group of inexperienced cadets need to defend the last remaining airbase so they may have a chance to help the Republic win the revolutionary war and to protect what they have come to care for.

This film was released on, June 20, 2013 the day before 52nd birthday of Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo, June 21, 2013, which coincides with the 486th anniversary of Jakarta City. Which tells of a carpenter's son named Joko Widodo, who lived in a small home side of river-banks. Childhood are far from sufficient. But it did not dampen the spirit of children's village duck egg hunter to continue school to higher education. His love of Rock music which persisted until the time he became a great leader of Indonesia future, as was able to motivate the spirit of life. Love story with Iriana, a simple girl, His sister school friend became encouragement's future leader to face various challenges.

This biopic explores Muslim scholar Buya Hamka's life and hardships alongside his loving wife, Siti Raham, after Indonesia gained independence.

The official story of the events surrounding the September 30 to October 1, 1965 attempted coup d'etat in Indonesia by a group calling itself the "30 September Movement", leading to the downfall of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) and the rise of Suharto's New Order regime.

The son of a veteran named Agus was faced with the shadow of his father's absence, so he grew up to be an undisciplined child. Until the veteran died and made his son follow in his father's footsteps to enter the military world.

In war-torn Jakarta 1946, a haunted violinist ordered to bomb a colonial theatre sees his plan unravel when a charismatic rebel falls for his wife—jeopardising Indonesia’s freedom and their lives.

Disappointed after seeing his homeland, Pasai, destroyed by the Portuguese, Fadhilah Khan, later known as Fatahillah or Fala Tehan, completes his education in the Holy Land, then joins Sultan Trenggono who rules the Sultanate of Demak. He gains a respectable position as a cleric, then marries the sister of the Emperor, Ratu Pembayun, and Ratu Ayu, the widow of Pati Unus, who died in the battle against the Portuguese in Malacca. The Portuguese want to establish a fort at Sunda Kelapa. But the Sultanate of Demak is determined to wage a war against the Portuguese. Fatahillah is elected as the commanding officer, and he conquers Sunda Kelapa, and changes its name to Jayakarta, which later became Jakarta.

Raden Mas Said, the first son of Tumenggung Wilarikta, who rules Tuban, a district in the powerful kingdom of Majapahit, sees a poor family who suffers from hunger. He tries to take some food out secretly. His parents disapprove, and as punishment, he is locked inside the food storage. Since the incident, R.M. Said, does not feel comfortable at home. So he travels from one place to another and witnesses many cases of fraud and injustice. The Tumenggung is often blamed to cover up their crimes. Listening to his son's report, his father realises the real situation. Then he meets Sunan Bonang, who teaches his knowledge to R.M. Said. They meditate together on a riverbank. Due to his dedication, R.M. Said gets a "Nur" (enlightenment) from God. Shortly after, he is appointed as a Wali (a dated term for Islamic leader), and becomes the famous one amongst the Nine Great Wali (Wali Sanga). He is known as Sunan Kalijaga.

Depicting the celebrated recapture of the town of Yogyakarta from Dutch forces in March 1949, by Indonesian youth of the resistance and members of the Indonesian army. Although it was held only for a few hours, it resulted in a UN resolution calling on the Dutch to leave.

Legend about Loro Jonggrang's love story with Bandung Bondowoso. When he was newly appointed as Senopati Baka, he was assigned to attack the Pengging Kingdom. However, while he was there, he was recognized as the crown prince of Pengging, who had apparently been kidnapped by the Baka people when he was still a child. The angry King Baka personally led an attack on Pengging and was killed by Bandung Bondowoso. The son of the Baka king, Loro Jonggrang saw his father die and held a grudge against Bandung Bondowoso. When Bandung Bondowoso was about to propose, Loro Jonggrang also put forward a condition to build a thousand temples. When there was one less temple, Loro Jonggrang made the cock crow as if it was morning. Bandung, knowing that Loro Jonggrang was cheating, cursed it, making it the thousandth and largest temple.

As a result of the civil war in Majapahit, the Queen Mother fled to Ampel escorted by Mahesa Kicak. There happened to be gathered saints. The Queen Mother asked those who still have close links with the Majapahit, can restore the honor of Majapahit. Sunan Ampel explained, that padepokannya built just to spread Islam.

Sani Tawainella, a former soccer player, founds a prominent youth club in Indonesia to help children avoid religious conflicts.

Lembong, a robber, raises Ken Arok in a dark world after finding him in a cemetery as a baby. Due to his outrageous behaviour, Ken Arok is expelled and has to live with Bango Samparan. Even this does not last long, when the wife of Samparan takes a dislike to him. Then Ken Arok also becomes a fugitive of the Emperor since he often plunders royal tributes. One day, he meets a priest, Loh Gawe, who provides him with skills of leadership. Meanwhile, the Regent of Tumapel, Tunggul Ametung, kidnaps Ken Dedes to make her his wife. Then Ken Arok is recruited as a soldier of Tumapel. Inside the palace, he sees Ken Dedes and immediately falls in love. The bad intention to kill Tunggul Ametung comes to his mind. Since Loh Gawe does not agree with his intention, Ken Arok gets an approval from his adoptive father, Bango Samparan. Shortly after, he orders a keris (a wavy knife) from Empu Gandring, a famous blade smith.

Arya Dwipangga (Baron Hermanto) is disturbing the kingdom of Majapahit in order to wreak revenge on Kamandanu (Sandy Nayoan), while the kingdom assumes that the troublemaker if Mpu Bajil (Wingky Haroen), who is preoccupied with learning the teachings of Aji Segara Geni. As a part of this training, he has already bathed in the blood of seven child descendents of warriors. He is now planning to kidnap the nephew of Kamandanu, Panji (Sawung Sembadha), the child of Dwipangga and Ratih (see Tutur Tinular). A battle ensues between Bajil and Kamandanu, who has been instructed by the king to bring back Bajil’s head.