Tan's Film
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motion picture production |
| Founded | September 1, 1929 in Batavia, Dutch East Indies |
| Founder | Tan Khoen Yauw, Tan Khoen Hian |
| Defunct | 1942 |
| Fate | Ceased operations during Japanese occupation; succeeded by Tan & Wong Bros (1948) |
| Headquarters | Batavia , Dutch East Indies |
Area served | Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) |
| Products | Films targeted at indigenous ethnic communities |
Tan's Film was a motion picture production company operating in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). Established on September 1, 1929, by siblings Tan Khoen Yauw and Tan Khoen Hian, the studio primarily focused on producing films for indigenous ethnic communities. Beginning with Njai Dasima, the enterprise released a total of fifteen films before ceasing operations during the Japanese occupation. Subsequently, the Tan brothers collaborated with the Wong brothers to create Tan & Wong Bros in 1948, continuing their involvement in film production.
Initial phase
Founded on September 1, 1929, by Tan Khoen Yauw and Tan Khoen Hian, Tan's Film Company was among three studios inaugurated that year within the Dutch East Indies, alongside Nansing Film Corporation and another Chinese-owned entity. The company constructed a sizable studio facility on Defensielijn v.d. Bosch (present-day Bungur Besar Raya Street), incorporating departments dedicated to costume design, cinematography, and set decoration.
Originating from Kwitang, Batavia, the Tan brothers maintained close connections with native populations and aimed their productions at lower-income indigenous audiences by adapting popular Malay tonil (stage plays). Although not pioneers in this market—since George Krugers' Krugers Filmbedrijf had previously released Eulis Atjih (1927)—Tan's strategy proved highly effective.
Their debut film, the silent Njai Dasima, was an adaptation of G. Francis's 1896 novel Tjerita Njai Dasima and premiered in November 1929. It achieved remarkable commercial success, reportedly enabling cinemas to recover losses accumulated over several days with just one screening. Following this achievement, Tan's Film produced two additional tonil adaptations: the action feature Si Ronda and the romantic drama Melati van Agam ("Jasmine of Agam"), along with sequels to both Njai Dasima and Nancy Bikin Pembalesan during 1930. These titles enjoyed financial success as well.
Facing escalating production expenses, Tan's Film halted its activities after releasing a talkie remake of Njai Dasima in 1932. This version included Krugers as cinematographer and Bachtiar Effendi as director. Additionally, another Krugers project titled Huwen op Bevel ("Forced to Marry"; 1932) was distributed by Tan's Film after Krugers encountered financial difficulties.
Revival
In 1938, Tan Khoen Hian joined forces with American-born Chinese filmmakers Othniel and Joshua Wong to revive the company under the name Tan's Film Coy. While Tan mainly provided capital investment, operational management was overseen by the Wong brothers. Their first production under this partnership was Fatima (1938), which closely mirrored the successful formula of the 1937 blockbuster Terang Boelan, employing the same screenwriter, cast members, and musicians. The female lead Roekiah received a monthly salary twice that from her previous employer. The film yielded substantial profits, earning approximately 200,000 gulden against a modest budget of 7,000 gulden.
In 1939, Tan's Film released Gagak Item (Black Raven), featuring a protagonist reminiscent of Zorro, followed by Siti Akbari in April 1940; both were influenced by the style of Terang Boelan. These productions achieved success, albeit not matching the profitability of Fatima.
By 1940, Tan's Film was one of six active studios in the Indies; the emergence of new companies was partly spurred by the success of Fatima. Heightened competition—particularly from Java Industrial Film Coy.—began to affect Tan's Film's market position. Joshua Wong transitioned to work with Oriental Film,[1] while lead actor Rd. Mochtar departed due to salary disagreements.[2] Screenwriter Saeroen also left in 1940, reducing production output to around two films per year.[2][3]
Following box office hits such as Roekihati and Sorga Ka Toedjoe (Seventh Heaven) in 1940, Tan's Film released Koeda Sembrani (The Enchanted Horse) featuring an elaborate palace set design. The following year saw releases like Poesaka Terpendam (Buried Treasure) and production of Aladin dengan Lampu Wasiat (Aladdin and the Magic Lamp) which reused this palace backdrop. However, operations were forced to cease due to the Japanese occupation beginning in early 1942; consequently, Aladin dengan Lampu Wasiat did not premiere until 1950 after both occupation and national revolution had concluded.[2][4] In 1948, the Tans reunited with the Wong brothers to establish Tan & Wong Bros.[5]
Filmography
Below is a compilation of films produced during both periods of Tan's Film's existence sourced from Biran (2009, pp. 379–387):
- Njai Dasima (1929/1930)
- Nancy Bikin Pembalesan (Nancy Takes Revenge; 1930)
- Melati van Agam (Jasmine of Agam; 1930)
- Si Ronda (1930)
- Huwen op Bevel (Forced to Marry; 1931)
- Njai Dasima (1932)
- Fatima (1938)
- Gagak Item (Black Raven; 1939)
- Siti Akbari (1940)
- Sorga Ka Toedjoe (Seventh Heaven; 1940)
- Roekihati (1940)
- Koeda Sembrani (Pegasus; 1941)
- Poesaka Terpendam (Buried Treasure; 1941)
- Aladin dengan Lampu Wasiat (Aladdin and the Magic Lamp; 1941)
References
- Notes
- Sources
- ↑ Biran 2009, p. 212.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Biran 2009, p. 214.
- ↑ Biran 2009, p. 249.
- ↑ Biran 2009, p. 250.
- ↑ Biran 2009, p. 367.