The Great Post Road
8.4
Road movie-style documentary about the Great Post Road (De Groote Postweg/Jalan Raya Pos). Pramoedya Ananta Toer (1925), one of the most important Indonesian authors of recent decades, wrote an essay about the Great Post Road at the request of director Bernie IJdis. This thousand-kilometer road across Java was built at the beginning of the last century under the leadership of the Dutchman Daendels and cost the lives of thousands of Indonesian forced laborers. Because Toer, as a former political prisoner, is restricted in his freedom of movement, the filmmakers act as his eyes and ears during a trip along the Post Road. During the journey, parallels between Indonesia in the past and present slowly unfold. In addition, as the film progresses, the grimness of Toer's situation and the situation in his country becomes palpable.
Where to watch
Not streaming anywhere
Not on any streaming service in United States, and not available to rent.
Your rating
Your review
Cast
3 people
Bernie IJdis Director
First release May 23, 1996 · Produced in Netherlands · Original title Jalan Raya Pos
Production
Pieter van Huystee Film & TV
Production
Netherlands
Produced in
Languages
Original title
Jalan Raya Pos
Original language
Indonesian
Spoken on screen
Indonesian
Release dates
Netherlands · May 23, 1996
Theatrical
No release date listed for United States.
Singapore
April 1, 1997 · Singapore International Film Festival
More from Bernie IJdis
Other films they directed, best known first.
Some details come from TheTVDB.