Star Film (Dutch East Indies company)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motion picture production |
| Founded | 1940 |
| Founder | Jo Eng Sek, Cho' Chin Hsin |
| Defunct | 1942 |
| Headquarters | Batavia (now Jakarta) , Dutch East Indies |
| Products | Films |
Star Film was a motion picture production company operating in the Dutch East Indies, established in 1940 by Chinese-Indonesian entrepreneur Jo Eng Sek alongside cameraman Cho' Chin Hsin. Between 1940 and 1941, the studio released five black-and-white movies, with Jo directing two and Wu Tsun helming the remainder. The enterprise ceased operations during the Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies while still working on another project. Star Film played a pivotal role in launching the careers of performers such as S Waldy and Elly Joenara, and collaborated with screenwriters including Rd Ariffien and Saeroen; unfortunately, its films are believed to be lost.
History
The inception of Star Film traces back to Jo Eng Sek, who had previously co-produced Si Tjonat (1929), partnering with Shanghai-based cinematographer Cho' Chin Hsin; Jo primarily took on producing duties while Cho managed the camera work. The company’s base was located on Prinsenlaan in Batavia (present-day Mangga Besar, Jakarta). Its debut production, the detective feature Pah Wongso Pendekar Boediman released in April 1941, starred L. V. Wijnhamer Jr., an Indo social worker well-known within the ethnic Chinese community. The film’s commercial success facilitated the studio’s growth.
Subsequently, Jo recruited journalist and screenwriter Rd Ariffien, capitalizing on his broad connections. Ariffien penned Tjioeng Wanara, adapted from a Sundanese folktale retold by M. A. Salmoen; Jo took on directing and producing responsibilities for this film. Several cast members from this production, including comedian S Waldy and future producer Elly Joenara, continued their association with Star Film. Nevertheless, Ariffien departed due to dissatisfaction with his involvement.
The company expanded further by bringing in Chinese director Wu Tsun, who made his debut with Star through Lintah Darat, a drama depicting a family torn apart by a predatory moneylender. This film garnered positive critical reception. Wu also directed a sequel to Pah Wongso Pendekar Boediman titled Pah Wongso Tersangka, scripted by journalist Saeroen. This comedic work highlighted the dynamic between Waldy, Pah Wongso, and comic actor Sarip.
Saeroen contributed one additional screenplay, Ajah Berdosa, before exiting the studio. This narrative centers on a villager’s downfall triggered by his fascination with a "modern" woman; it was promoted as "an extremely simple and touching story" and met with favorable reviews. By late 1941, Star was working on 1001 Malam, an adaptation of One Thousand and One Nights. At that period, multiple studios were producing films inspired by tales from Nights, including Tan's Film’s Aladin and Koeda Sembrani, Populair's Film’s Moestika dari Djemar, and Java Industrial Film’s Ratna Moetoe Manikam.
As early 1942 brought fears of Japanese invasion, some studios halted production or relocated; Star Film reportedly planned to move even though 1001 Malam remained incomplete. With the Japanese occupation commencing in March 1942, Star Film was permanently shut down.
Filmography
Over two years, Star Film created six feature-length black-and-white productions, all distributed broadly throughout the Dutch East Indies. Certain titles such as Pah Wongso Pendekar Boediman reached audiences in British Malaya, China, and Singapore. While screenings persisted into the late 1940s, these films are likely lost due to nitrate film’s flammability combined with archival fires and destruction over time. Nonetheless, some prints might still exist within collections like Sinematek Indonesia or the Netherlands Government Information Service.
- Pah Wongso Pendekar Boediman (1940)
- Tjioeng Wanara (1941)
- Lintah Darat (1941)
- Pah Wongso Tersangka (1941)
- Ajah Berdosa (1941)
- 1001 Malam (unfinished)