Footage depicting the unsettled political climate in Bandoeng (Bandung) in central Java, Dutch East Indies (Indonesia).

Slow pan left-to-right showing a long wall painted with the text 'Bekerdja, bergiat, baik orang toea maopen orang moeda'. A large building with ' Komite Nasional Daerah Priangan' [probably 'National Committee for Priangan Region' i.e. a local political assembly] above the entrance. Civilians reading posters pasted nearby. A large group of civilians next to a hoarding which reads 'Indonesia never again will tolerate any foreign rule' and is marked with an image of a kris, a wavy-bladed dagger indigenous to Java. Second shot panning across the group and ending on the hoarding. A doorway with 'Let Freedom Ring for Indonesia' written above it. A hoarding on a busy street reads 'The torch of freedom could never be extinguished in the hearts of 70 million Indonesians!' and the camera pans right to another hoarding on the opposite side of the road which reads 'The Republic of Indonesia has been born, every foreign domination is gone'. Somewhat ironically, as the camera settles on the latter hoarding, a European woman cycles across shot. A bare-chested Indonesian stall-holder, who appears to wear a revolver on his belt, addresses a crowd. Footage from a moving vehicle showing a market apparently used as cover for political gatherings. A lorry load of armed Japanese soldiers passes. Market scenes showing men carrying produce with shoulder yokes and groups of civilians. Close-up of an Indonesian man unfortunately a bit low and cutting off the subject above the eyes.

Notes

By the time this film was shot the political climate in Java was extremely volatile. Prewar Indonesian nationalism had been nurtured by the Japanese during their occupation. With the surrender of the Japanese tens of thousands of Eurasian and European internees were liberated and sought to resume their former high social positions. The arrival of British, Indian and eventually Dutch troops further exacerbated a situation made very dangerous by the easy availability of arms. For more film showing Indonesian nationalist slogans, and the training of Indonesian youth, see related items.