The East

Original title: De Oost

2020
TV-MA
2h 17m

IMDb RATING

6.8/10

7.1K

YOUR RATING

During the post-WW2 Indonesian War of Independence, a young Dutch soldier joins an elite unit led by a mysterious captain known only as "The Turk." When the fighting intensifies, the young soldier finds himself questioning, and ultimately challenging, his commander's brutal strategy to stop the resistance.

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Drama Thriller War

A young Dutch soldier deployed to suppress post-WWII independence efforts in the Netherlands' colony of Indonesia finds himself torn between duty and conscience when he joins an increasingly... Read allA young Dutch soldier deployed to suppress post-WWII independence efforts in the Netherlands' colony of Indonesia finds himself torn between duty and conscience when he joins an increasingly ruthless commander's elite squad.A young Dutch soldier deployed to suppress post-WWII independence efforts in the Netherlands' colony of Indonesia finds himself torn between duty and conscience when he joins an increasingly ruthless commander's elite squad.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.8/10

7.1K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 2 wins & 9 nominations

Trivia
The "Federatie Indische Nederlanders (FIN)" or Federation of Dutch Indonesians filed a lawsuit against the movie. FIN claims the movie is a fictional and overly evil depiction of the Dutch intervention in Indonesia, which was meant to put an end to waves of terror coming from local militia. Dutch veteran organizations were also dismayed by the depiction of Dutch soldiers spouting racial slurs and frequenting prostitutes, Special Forces wearing black "Nazi-like" uniforms (dark green in reality), and Raymond Westerling (Marwan Kenzari) sporting a "Hitleresque" mustache. The FIN asked for a disclaimer at the start of the movie, stating the film is fictional. The producer of the movie did not agree with adding such a statement (apart from the standard disclaimer at the end that parts of the story had been fictionalized for dramatic purposes), and the Dutch court finally decided an additional disclaimer was not necessary. Director Jim Taihuttu defended himself against the allegations, stating that the behavior and language of the soldiers was based on diaries given to him by an actual soldier in the war. He had also showed the movie to several Dutch veterans and army leaders, who all praised the film for its authenticity.

Goofs
The Dutch called the capital of the Dutch Indies 'Batavia.' No Dutch soldier would call it by its Indonesian name 'Jakarta,' as one does in the movie.

Connections
Featured in Twee voor twaalf: Episode dated 7 October 2022 (2022)

User reviews68

Review

Featured review

8/10

AS AN INDONESIAN, THIS FILM IS WELL DONE.

This film dares to appear discussing a point of view that many people don't want to explore. About the Dutch in the colonial era of Indonesia. About the colonizing party. And this film presents it with a neutral pov. There is no agenda for glorification or self-defense. This film purely shows the human side experienced by the parties involved. As a war film, however, it follows the formula well. We can say cliche, but still unique thanks to the pov. As an Indonesian, this film is well done.