De Oost / The East

In May 2021, the movie De Oost / The East embarked on Amazon Prime. As soon as corona allows, it will be circulated in limited movie theaters in NL. The movie is directed by the prize winning director Jim Taihuttu, known from earlier movies as Wolf and Rabat. On the same day the educational website De wereld van De Oost was launched. Five characters from the movie offer a multiperspective access to stories and historical events from the Indonesian War of Independence. The website offers in-depth sourced information and educational working methods.

At the same time, the novel De Oost was published. Film and book go along with the young Dutch soldier Johan de Vries, who voluntarily joins the so called liberation mission of the Dutch army in the former Dutch-Indies in 1946. Johan joins the special forces, commanded by the Dutch captain Westerling. Shortly after Johan starts participating in violent actions, his growing doubts about the moral justification of the violence forces him to choose. Eventually his choice confronts him with the ultimate consequence.

Like film and platform, the book is based on extensive research. The historical novel was based on the film script and enriched with historical details and near-to real quotations. The novel aims at all ages but is especially made accessible for younger generations.