For centuries, the ancient lands of Indonesia
were colonized by the Dutch Empire.
Accounts of suppression, brutality and tragedy
are often lost in tales of folklore.
This is one story where the worlds of fact and fiction collide...
JAVA 6 MONTHS LATER
I thought I'd never return to kiss the earth of my homeland
that I had left behind.
Come, let's go.
Hurry!
First, we must pay our respects to your father
at the final resting place of all Sultans and their families.
This is your father's grave
and this... your mother's.
God bless her soul.
Seruni.
Forgive me.
I should have never left you.
A long time ago,
ancient kings ruled this land.
Civilization here flourished a thousand years before us.
We come from a land deep with heritage.
And part of it runs through your blood.
Both of you are born of noble heritage.
Raised in foreign lands,
united by extreme circumstances.
That day, your father and I managed to escape.
We were lucky,
so you survived.
I thought if we could negotiate with them,
they would leave us in peace.
How naive!
They need to pay!
No.
We've already lost many of our people today.
Let's not lose our future too.
They're here.
Just get in! Get in!
Get in, Hamza.
Go now.
I'll delay them.
No, Hamza, we move together!
Arana!
Get as far away as you can.
Bring my boys up as your own.
Save them, Arana.
They are our only hope.
My death shall only strengthen the will of my people,
Van Trach.
Jamar.
As the eldest son, you have to shoulder the responsibility.
Suwo.
As the youngest,
it is your brotherhood bond
that will strengthen the both of you.
Don't ever forget that.
What do you want?
Do you guys need...
You came from over there.
Heading towards there.
So why are you stopping here?
Everything OK?
What are you looking at?
Everything is fine.
That's my wife. She's in labor.
-She's in labor? -Yes!
I can help.
How?
What's that?
I have medicine.
What medicine?
This is for her pain.
My wife is not in pain, she's just in labor.
-But-- -Move along!
Sorry, sir.
We'll move along.
Help.
Don't move!
-Or Fakar will kill her! -Calm down. Calm down.
You want to die?
Get back!
You think Fakar's messing around?
Think again!
Get back!
Come here!
Sri!
It hurts.
Next time, mind your own business.
Wait, wait!
Where are you heading?
Please come to our village.
There, you can bathe, eat, and rest.
That would be my honor.
Please, come!
What's happening there?
That man knows how to ride!
I've never seen a man ride a buffalo like that.
And shoot like an Apache warrior!
Earlier, I noticed crops being burned.
Why?
To grow opium.
It's more profitable for them.
If we don't burn the rice,
the Dutch will burn us.
There are the farmers who chose to plant crops
because they thought
feeding their families was more important.
But they had to pay the price.
What's that smell?
This is the stench
of hatred!
Come here, sweetheart!
Grandpa!
What happened to your head?
I had a fall. It's just a scratch.
Gentlemen.
My grand daughter, Kiona.
You are an excellent rider.
For a...
girl.
Your riding was spectacular.
I'm Suwo.
Suwo.
The hand that you kissed
-is the hand that wipes her-- -Ass.
Your beauty made them forget their manners.
I am Arana.
How's my riding, Grandpa?
Kiona!
You stole my buffalo again!
I only borrowed him, Father.
Your father is the head of the village,
while you ride buffaloes as if you're a boy!
You embarrass me!
Excuse me.
You should be proud of her.
-Who are you people? -Kiona!
Sri!
-Father, don't. -Silence!
-What do you want here? -Sakar.
These men are our friends, not our enemies.
-They are-- -They are strangers!
And all strangers are enemies.
If the Dutch finds out,
-we'll be the ones who pay the price. -Have you no shame?
These men saved me and your daughter Sri!
That's two lives you owe them!
It's true, Father.
If not for them, both of us would be dead.
Forgive me.
I misjudged you.
Come join us for dinner tonight.
Would you like to freshen up?
Boys, stop showing off!
The ladies are getting over-excited.
Handsome!
We've met before!
-Where? -In my dreams.
I wouldn't forget a dashing man like that.
Maybe you'll remember once he takes off his sarong.
Let me help you, handsome.
It won't take long.
These men saved my family.
Henceforth, we will treat them as our family.
Yes!
Sir, with all due respect,
your father and daughter should not be traveling alone.
I would have sent men to accompany them,
but all our men are assisting to re-plant the crops.
What?
Assisting?
It's forced labor.
Forced labor?
You've seen what happens if we dare to oppose them.
Why doesn't the Sultan do something?
We haven't had a Sultan for a while.
It suits the Dutch just fine.
The Dutch control everything now.
Father!
Kiona!
You say too much.
Don't you dare silence me, Sakar!
Our villagers will starve if we don't have rice.
This is hell on earth.
Ever since Van Trach returned!
Van Trach?
He and his men kill, rape
and pillage, without fear of punishment.
Kiona!
And none of us dare to fight them.
Kiona!
Don't pay attention to my daughter's words.
There's a lot she still doesn't understand.
As long as we live by their rules,
we'll live in peace and they'll leave us alone.
As long as we live by their rules,
we will live in peace.
I believed that once.
But the consequence was...
a life was lost!
Damn it!
I don't need help.
I can manage.
What are you doing here?
Shouldn't you be inside with the other men,
making important decisions?
I don't usually get to participate,
in making important decisions.
Oh, yeah?
It's tough, not being taken seriously.
What would you know about that?
I mean, I know how you feel.
I can relate.
Can you really?
As the youngest, I am also at a disadvantage.
No. You have one huge advantage.
You're a man.
You can do whatever you want,
whenever you want, however you want,
and with whomever you want.
You're not seen as an embarrassment,
nor evaluated,
and not judged.
And all that is because...
you're a man.
You don't think there's pressure being a man?
I was born with a set of rules.
Don't show your feelings.
Be braver, be stronger.
Fight. Be a hero. Win.
As if those are the only virtues that make you a man.
The key is timing.
You're rushing
and therefore, your aim is off.
Are you saying you have better aim?
Of course.
I'm a man.
Arrogant.
Like this.
I only want to help.
I'm so happy to see you.
You've been gone for so long.
Distance has forced me to grow up.
Father, Kiona.
I'm tired of hiding.
Moving from village to village is really tough.
I only want to come home!
We just don't want you to experience
what we had gone through here.
Though I'm glad you are here,
I also fear for your safety.
They are coming! They are coming!
You must leave now!
Kiona!
Quick! Guide them to the forest!
There's no time!
I'm going with Sri!
It's worse if they find her with them!
-But. -Go!
-Suwo! -Ready!
That's enough.
Cover it with leaves!
Yes, Uncle.
Hurry up!
Sir.
These are the people, along with three others,
who attacked Fakar.
Sir, this is not true!
-Not true? -He attacked us!
Silence!
-Where are the others? -Sir, he tried to rape me.
Who will you believe, sir?
Fakar, your loyal servant
who lost an eye for the company,
or...
this cursed whore?
Let go!
Don't! Don't!
Sri!
She's not even registered!
No stamp.
It's true, sir.
There were three other people here,
but they're gone now!
Fakar was right!
Please, sir,
don't harm her.
She has nothing to do with this!
What are you waiting for?
Register her!
Help, sir!
Don't, sir!
What's happening?
Registration.
For what?
Their stamp on us.
We didn't register Sri.
She was too young.
Sri!
Who's that man?
His name is Drost.
Van Trach's right-hand man.
Take the old man and the girl!
Just leave me.
Come.
Leave her be.
Take the bags.
Forgive me, Sri.
Tomorrow we'll explore the town.
I am sure, Uncle.
Van Trach will be there.
The time for reckoning is here.
This is it, boys.
That's all the rice you get for that little opium!
Go get some supplies.
I will scout around.
Where are you from?
Come in!
Many special goods inside.
Come in!
Welcome, gentlemen.
Sir!
I have something very special for you.
You are sure to like this!
Try this.
Scorpion arak.
Makes you strong.
Makes the ladies feel good!
If there's one thing I don't like,
it's that.
Scorpions.
Relax, sir. Relax!
Sir!
This just came in.
It is a bit pricey.
But...
You can use this over and over again.
You pay more,
but you can last longer!
Count this!
Sir, come buy some chickens.
How much?
These buds open only at night.
Kiona.
What are you doing here?
Besides breeding bulls, Father also grows flowers.
Any news about your grandfather and sister?
No news yet,
just that all the headmen have been summoned to town.
Will Van Trach be there?
He should be,
he summoned my father specifically.
Come with me.
I was about to go to the town square.
Grandpa!
Sri.
Van Trach.
No!
Sir.
I have served you well.
Please, sir.
I did everything you asked.
I cannot make this impossible choice.
They are my family, sir.
They have done nothing wrong!
Quiet, Sakar!
Why are you bargaining with the devil?
I am ready to die, Sakar.
But why do you have to beg to this dog?
Why?
Hey, devil!
Just kill me!
You will rot in hell soon enough!
Don't.
Father!
Not here! Too many people!
Father!
Cowards!
All of you are cowards!
I am thankful.
I am grateful, sir.
We have to follow him.
It's risky, hiding out here.
It's still the closest we can get to him.
Have you found us a way out?
Don't worry.
The cute girls downstairs told me this.
There is an exit, at the back.
Now we wait.
Sit down, Suwo.
I want to speak to the two of you.
I have waited for this day.
This dagger belonged to your father.
This dagger has been handed down for generations,
to each successive Sultan.
And now, you are its rightful owner.
The Javanese carry them for protection.
Bring it with you everywhere you go.
Always keep it with you.
Suwo.
All these years, I've kept this knife.
It serves as a reminder to me,
of the sacrifice and the pain I've endured.
This is now yours.
We all have the same purpose.
We must work together,
to reach our goal.
Remember that well.
I have him.
Relax.
Inhale.
Slow.
Then be sure.
Ready.
Be sure.
There's... There's a servant in the way.
I can't get a clear shot, Uncle.
I'll do it.
Die, you son of a bitch.
Uncle.
Don't!
Uncle.
-Uncle. -Uncle. Hey.
What's wrong?
Suwo, go to the Chinese store. Get medicine.
Uncle.
-OK. OK. -I'll look for another way.
I'm so sorry.
Your father and grandfather were brave men.
You see that old lady over there?
Van Trach's gang killed her son.
Or rather, hunted him down for pleasure.
They returned his bullet-ridden body
but without his head.
The bar owner likes keeping it as a trophy.
She can't rest until her son is whole again.
But no one can help her.
This is our life living under Van Trach's rule.
You're the pretty girl Fakar talked about!
I want to introduce you...
to some of our hungry boys.
Come.
You!
Long time no see.
Cyclops. What are you doing?
Looking for lice. Why?
If you plan on blowing his brains out all over my bar,
you better think twice.
Fine.
Fakar is watching you.
I've been watching you.
What do you want here?
You have balls of steel.
Coming into my bar like that.
Fine.
I'll leave.
But first...
how about that trophy,
and the girl over there...
in exchange for your lives.
You're funny.
But it seems, the collection on my wall
will be much better...
with another skull.
What's happening here?
You must be ready.
He might come to you tonight.
Why are you still here?
We can find a way to escape.
Many have tried.
They are always captured,
and hung on the Banyan tree outside.
How can you stand this?
My husband,
and my entire family have vanished.
I have no one else but myself.
No one else.
I'm not your mother.
I do not want to be linked to your past.
Where are you going?
To clear my head,
get some air.
Wait, Uncle. Look.
Go find Suwo.
Aren't you coming, Uncle?
No.
Meet me at the village later.
Van Trach?
Find your brother first.
Go.
You won't get anything out of me.
Fakar will get the brand ready!
Use the knife.
It's not Fakar's.
It was on the table.
It belongs to him.
Answer!
Think hard.
Where did you last leave it?
I am his son.
Sir...
there's an intruder in your house.
Thank you, sir!
You're not in a hurry, are you?
Leave him! He's had enough!
Stop torturing him!
I see, you want one too.
Where do you want Fakar to put yours?
How about here?
Or should Fakar go for your forehead?
Yes.
The forehead will do.
Are you all right?
Thank you.
I thought Van Trach had surely killed you.
He might as well have.
How did you find the strength?
With every beat of my heart,
you were there with me too, Arana.
You were my hope.
There has not been a single day when I don't regret.
And ask God for forgiveness
for leaving you.
My love.
Seruni...
Van Trach!
Come! Hurry!
Hide!
Thank you.
You're welcome.
Uncle!
Suwo!
You must be Jamar.
You have your father's eyes.
You're that woman
at Van Trach's house.
It's OK, Jamar.
She's his wife?
I am Seruni.
Your uncle's wife.
-But we thought you were... -Yes.
We all did.
Seruni is alive.
You look just like your mother.
Aunty?
Yes, I'm your aunty.
Suwo,
I'll wait outside.
Be careful.
Uncle...
Van Trach probably knows we're here.
We should go.
Yes.
We still have a chance to kill him.
To avenge our parents.
Your father was a warrior,
but he fought for justice.
He would never let his sons waste their lives
for the sake of vengeance.
Have you forgotten?
That day, father set out to negotiate peace
but instead he was murdered.
Jamar, don't.
I won't be so foolish to make the same mistake.
Revenge is a right.
He robbed us of our family.
Revenge may be a right,
but forgiveness makes you stronger.
Jamar,
I'm wrong.
Your father never acted out of hatred.
He always chose to forgive, if he could.
If not for revenge, then why are we here?
To serve justice.
For our people.
Van Trach!
Kiona!
We're surrounded.
To die with you,
would be my greatest honor, Arana.
Let me go!
Seruni?
Animals! Get back!
Stay down!
Suwo!
Everyone all right?
Uncle.
Arana.
Jamar,
we can use the smoke to escape.
-What? -Clear the way first.
Are you mad?
You clear the way,
I'll help uncle.
No way. We have to stay as a group.
Please trust me. I will bring them out in one piece.
Uncle, we need to cover your wound.
-Bear with it, Uncle. -It's just a scratch, Suwo.
Just bear with the pain for a while.
Suwo,
our time together is at an end.
-No. -It is time
for you to take hold of your own destiny.
I'm not leaving you two behind.
Indeed you aren't
because I'm the one who has to leave.
I have always loved you
and Jamar
as my own sons.
Your father will be so proud of both of you.
I'm sure that's what he'll say
when the wind carries me to meet him.
Don't worry, Suwo.
I'm very much at peace.
It is time for you to leave now.
Jamar is waiting for you.
Go.
Come on. Go.
Go.
Sir, our guests have arrived.
Van Trach, let's make a deal.
Take your men, leave this place
and don't ever return.
In that case, be prepared to face judgement.
So what's it going to be?
War.
Or peace?
I'll give you one bullet.
What are you going to do, boy?
Are you all set?
All set.
Uncle was right.
This dagger saved my life.
Look, this is where the bullet bounced off it.
I'll get the horses ready.
I know that you must leave.
So must we.
They will be back for more blood.
We'll meet again
when the time is right.
Tell the rest of our people
that there's still hope.
And there are still people who are willing to fight
for justice.
This belongs to my uncle,
Arana.
And now it's yours.
Take care of it, yeah?
OK.
Thank you.
We'll never forget you.
We'll meet them again.
How are you so sure?
Because when legends are born,
they will never die.