INTRODUCTION

N SEPTEMBER 30TH, 1965, an unsuccessful Ocoup d’état triggered a series of events that have decided the course of ’s history to this very day. The leadership of President , the man who

led Indonesia to independence in NICK WILSON h 1949, was undermined, and the ascendancy of his successor, , was established. The orientation of this new nation, an amalgamation of peoples of dis- parate religions and languages living across a huge archipelago, was to change from fragile de- mocracy and neutral alignment

(dependent upon balancing the GUIDE competing infl uences of Com- munism, Western colonialism, and a power-hungry army) to a military dictatorship aligned with the West. STUDY ISSUE 29 AUSTRALIAN

SCREEN EDUCATION

ABOVE: RICE FARMERS, CENTRAL JAVA 1 THE FAILED COUP TRIGGERED a or since, but now a full and frank ac- were part of a broader response to terror campaign, led by General Su- count of the slaughter of hundreds of events in South-East Asia. The Viet- harto. This culminated in the deposing thousands of people can be given. The nam War was escalating in 1965, and of Sukarno and the establishment of fi lm even explains some of the reasons the anti-Communist West decided Suharto’s in 1966. At least for the West’s silence. that President Sukarno’s power de- fi ve hundred thousand people and pended upon Communist sup- perhaps as many as one million port. His removal from power and were killed during this period in replacement with an acceptable, purges organized by the military anti-Communist leader became a in conjunction with civilian militias. policy imperative. Many of these people were killed for their suspected involvement in the SYNOPSIS Communist PKI party. This would sound familiar to any secondary The narrator of Shadow Play pro- student who might have followed vides a concise description of these the story of East Timor and its events, times and places for viewers struggle to attain independence unfamiliar with Indonesian history. from Indonesia. Interviews with journalists who cov- Archival footage and interviews with ered the story reveal the secret war of signifi cant players construct a useful Shadow Play is a response to the re- propaganda and media manipulation chronology and a clear explanation of cent democratic impulse and freedoms waged by the Indonesian army and the major incidents. that have emerged within Indonesia actively aided by the governments of after more than three decades of the United States, Britain and Australia. To this end, the documentary summa- Suharto’s rule. Finally, Indonesians These offi cial policies of subterfuge rises Sukarno’s background, his rise can begin to confront their hidden to power and presidency. Indonesia’s history. The massacres received very colonial past, its demography and its little publicity in the West at the time external infl uences are spelt out, giving AUSTRALIAN SCREEN EDUCATION ISSUE 29 2 CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: REMAINS OF MURDER VICTIM, IBNOE SANTORO; BARBED WIRE SURROUNDS EX-DETENTION CENTRE, CENTRAL JAVA; COFFINS BURNT AFTER FAMILIES ARE PREVENTED FROM REBURYING BONES EXHUMED FROM MASS GRAVE; NEWLY ERECTED GRAVE STONE FOR IBNOE SANTORO AS HE IS FINALLY GIVEN THE DIGNITY OF A PROPER BURIAL; JOHN HUGHES CORRESPONDENT, CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR AND AUTHOR OF PULLITZER PRIZE WINNING “INDONESIAN UPHEAV- AL”; PRAMOEDYA ANANTA TOER WRITER / POLITICAL PRISONER 1965-76; PROFESSOR ARIF BUDIANTO FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST which resulted in the murders of six Army generals, was ultimately ineffec- a background onto which the events of tive and ill-conceived. The aims of the Suharto’s propaganda fi lms, by graphi- September 30th are projected. Archival conspirators are not made clear. The cally portraying these untruths, perpe- footage of Sukarno in the U.S.A, China Communist allegiance of the conspira- trated a myth about the Communist PKI and Russia, for example, is used to tors is only hinted at. This is one area in that permeated the larger Indonesian show the infl uence that Cold War poli- the documentary that remains vague, society. Peasant militias organized by tics had on Sukarno as he attempted to perhaps intentionally so. the Army began killing and imprison- maintain his nation’s neutrality. ing anyone associated or implicated Extensive use is made of two propa- with the PKI. Other forms of domestic The narration then moves its focus to ganda fi lms shot for Suharto after he propaganda included controlling the an examination of the major political had taken power in 1966 (following his local media and creating a newspaper elements competing for power during own successful coup). In these fi lms, that disseminated grotesque stories of Sukarno’s leadership, namely the PKI Suharto seeks to ‘legitimize’ the mass Communist degeneracy. The effect of and the Army. The motivations and this misinformation was to encour- actions of each are shown in relation age murderous reprisals and to to the machinations of the super- engender a prejudice against the powers. The effect of this structure PKI that still endures. is to sharpen the important back- ground knowledge, allowing the The extent of the international me- uninitiated viewer to understand the dia’s complicity with the Western coup and why the consequences of nations’ foreign policy is laid bare. its failure were so dramatic. Journalists who fi led comprehensive stories detailing the killings and the Having set the scene, the horrible actions of Suharto’s regime were ei- events of the night of September ther ignored completely or edited 30th are related. Indonesian wit- so that their intended stories were nesses, foreign diplomats and rendered acceptable to govern- journalists give their accounts of ments concerned with supporting that night and what followed. The killings he had authorized after the Suharto’s anti-Communist stance. narration links these stories and fi lls September 30th coup, portraying the in details, giving the impression of conspirators as Communists who tor- Shadow Play tells of the major partici- an ambitious attempt by junior Army tured and mutilated the generals before pants in the story and what motivated offi cers to seize power, but the coup, killing them. In fact, this did not occur. them; it places Indonesia within an ISSUE 29 AUSTRALIAN SCREEN EDUCATION

3

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ALAN RENOUF SECRETARY, AUSTRALIAN DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 1974-77; ARISTIDES KATTOPPO JOURNALIST & PUBLISHER; BRIGADIER GENERAL KEMAL IDRIS INDONESIAN SPECIAL FORCES; DR SUMIYARSI PO- LITICAL PRISONER, 1968-71; RICE FIELDS, CENTRAL JAVA international context; and the events Carmel Budiardjo had been working to England, where she lobbied to have leading up to and following the coup as a translator and researcher at the her Indonesian husband freed from are explained in an objective way. But Indonesian Department of Foreign Af- detention. Her campaign broadened the documentary also switches from fairs in 1965. Following the coup, she to include all types of human rights a broad historical background of the was dishonourably dismissed from abuses in Indonesia, including East coup to the stories of three individu- Timor. The documentary follows als swept up by events over which her journey back to the land she had they had no control. This change of been exiled from for thirty years. (Her focus from the macro historical pic- memoir is included in the resources ture to the personal and intimate is list at the end of this guide.) very effective in bringing the events and emotions of the period to life The third story follows Dr Sumiyarsi, for the viewer. who was working as a paediatrician in when she was accused of Ibnoe Santoro’s story is related by writing false doctors’ certifi cates for his brother, Joyo. Ibnoe had studied PKI members. Her house was burnt economics in the U.S.A, returning to down and she fl ed with her husband. Indonesia to work. As an academic, he government service. In 1968, she was After two years on the run, she was was suspected of having Communist arrested and detained in military deten- caught and imprisoned without trial for sympathies. He was imprisoned, tor- tion centres for four years, and then eleven years. tured and fi nally executed by the Army exiled from Indonesia. She relocated in March of 1966. Joyo wants to re- Each character’s story is engaging, claim his brother’s remains and re-bury illuminating aspects of the broader him according to Muslim custom. historical events in interesting and AUSTRALIAN SCREEN EDUCATION ISSUE 29 4 CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: OLD HATREDS FLARE AFTER FAMILY EXHUMES BODY AND A MUSLIM MOB BLOCKADES THE HOUSE IN PROTEST; EDWARD MASTERS FORMER US AMBASSADOR TO INDONESIA; KEN WELLS HEAD OF STATION, AUSTRALIAN SECURITY INTELLIGENCE SERVICE, JAKARTA, 1965-68; CARMEL BUDIARDJO, AND ENGLISH WOMAN WHO WAS A POLITICAL PRISONER FROM 1968 TO 1971’; ABDURRAHMAN WAHID INDONESIAN PRESIDENT, 1999-2001; poignant ways. Their fi rst-hand ac- DISCUSSION TOPICS counts augment the narrator’s broad commentary, giving these enormous and the subject matter requires close EAST TIMOR historical events a personal dimension. attention. In particular, the disinterment of Ibnoe • Indonesia annexed (that is, invaded Santoro’s remains and the eloquent Shadow Play would be an appropriate and took control of) East Timor in words of his brother force the viewer to text for use in the following study 1975. Before this, East Timor was consider the consequences of Suhar- areas: Year 10 Studies of Society and a Portuguese colony that had only to’s murderous policy towards the PKI. Environment; upper secondary Politics just begun a process of transition This mass burial was one of thousands (looking at Australian Foreign Policy, towards independence (under an that took place at the time. Viewers for example); Indonesian Language elected Fretilin government). What may be reminded of other holocausts Studies; and Indonesian History. It did Indonesia seek to gain by in- when watching this footage. could also be used as a point of vading East Timor? comparison to studies of the World Shadow Play assumes • A military trial of that these events are generals accused of largely unknown to a war crimes in East Timor wider Western audience is currently underway. and one of its key aims What details of these is to alert the viewer to a trials are being reported hidden history. The way in the Western media? in which the fi lm choos- General Wiranto, who es to tell its complicated commanded the Indone- story simply and directly sian military in East Timor, through these personal has not been charged. histories is its central Why not? strength. • In East Timor, the CURRICULUM Indonesian military or- LINKS War Two Holocaust; and as an excel- ganized local militias to maintain lent example of a documentary for use Indonesian rule. What is a militia? Shadow Play is suitable for upper sec- by Media Studies students. What might be the advantages of ondary year levels and tertiary studies. using locals rather than the regular Teachers should be aware that some BEFORE VIEWING army? scenes graphically portray the murders

of the generals. This is a dense fi lm • East Timor is an independent ISSUE 29 AUSTRALIAN SCREEN EDUCATION

5 CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ROLAND CHALLIS BBC S.E. ASIA CORRESPONDENT 1964-69; HUGH TOVAR CIA HEAD OF STATION, JAKARTA 1964-66; FRANK PALMOS INDONESIAN CORRESPONDENT, HERALD SUN 1962-72; JOYO SANTOSO BROTHER OF IBNOE SANTORO; CARMEL BUDIARDJO & DR SUMIYARSI REUNITE IN INDONESIA, HAVING NOT SEEN EACH OTHER SINCE THEY WERE IN PRISON IN 1970; DON NORTH JOURNALIST, INDONESIA 1965-66; SYLVIE LECLEZIO: CO-PRODUCER’ nation. Australia played a major are common to this nation? What politics today? Who has political peace-keeping role in establishing are the major components of the power? What might the future hold its independence. It receives sup- Indonesian economy? What impli- for Indonesia? port from the United Nations as it cations does its location have for continues to establish itself. How Australia? • What is the state of relations be- is this new nation different from the tween Australia and Indonesia? land that was occupied and ruled • Discuss Indonesia’s recent his- by Indonesian forces? tory. Suharto ruled Indonesia from ACTIVITIES 1966 until 1998 when he retired INDONESIA amidst rising unrest. What do we COLONIALISM know of this man and his policies? • Describe Indonesia. What is its What was Australia’s response to • What is a colony and what does co- population? What does its geog- Suharto’s rule? lonialism mean? Consider here that raphy look like? Locate it on a world Australia was a colony and only map. What religions and cultures • What is the state of Indonesian became an independent nation in the year 1901. Which other coun- tries were colonized by Western powers? Research dates and the means by which each country ob- tained their independence. Share your fi ndings around the class to compile a comprehensive list.

ISLAM

• The Republic of Indonesia compris- AUSTRALIAN SCREEN EDUCATION es the largest Muslim population in the world. The religious make-up of ISSUE 29 the country is central to the events described in Shadow Play. What is 6 Islam? What infl uence might this

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: SHADOW PLAY TITLE CARD; CHRIS HILTON: DIRECTOR & CO-PRODUCER; PUPPET MASTER – OR “DALANG” religion have on a country’s foreign 1 What year was Sukarno born? Where policy and internal politics? was he born? (1901 in Java)

PROPAGANDA 2 Indonesia became independent from Portuguese rule. True or • Shadow Play refers to various False? (False. It was Dutch rule). types of propaganda, including two feature fi lms made for Suharto, 3 What year did Indonesia become and to Western newspapers edit- a republic? (1949) ing journalists’ reports. What is propaganda? Where might you 4 Indonesia is the 4th most populous have heard of this media technique nation on earth. What is the domi- being used? Give examples of nant religion of this nation? (Islam) propaganda campaigns. Do you think that the political advertising 5 The documentary refers to the PKI. that occurs during an Australian What was this organization (the Federal election campaign is a Indonesian Communist Party) and type of propaganda? how many members did it hold at (They said they merely wanted to its peak? (3 million) arrest the generals for planning a JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS coup against Sukarno, and that 6 Shortly before the September 30th double agents within their ranks • Questions about justice and human Coup, Sukarno aligned his foreign had killed the generals.) rights lie at the heart of this docu- policy with two Communist na- mentary. All the characters speak tions. What were these nations? 12 What year did Sukarno die? (1970) directly or indirectly about these (China and Vietnam) This was the issues. Even General Suharto, who decisive reason for the West’s 13 How many political prisoners were deposed President Sukarno and determination to replace him. What held without trial during Suharto’s who orchestrated the mass killings year did this occur? (1965) ‘New Order’? (600,0000) described in Shadow Play, would have, at some level, believed in 7 How did the Western media de- 14 How many remains were exhumed the justness of his actions. Today, scribe the mass killings that oc- from the mass burial site? (23) human rights issues are being held curred after the September 30th up for scrutiny around the world. Coup? (They were described as 15 Abdurrahman Wahid talks about This is the main focus of the United a civil war between the PKI and the need for a new approach in Nations. Give examples of current the Army.) Indonesian politics. What is the human rights issues, including key word he uses to describe this an important Australian issue. 8 On the island of Bali, a horrific approach? (reconciliation) Compile a list of examples and death toll was calculated over a decide what common grievances two-week period. What was this THE DOCUMENTARY PROCESS oppressed or unjustly treated peo- toll? (80,000) ple might share. Make up a charter • List all of the types of fi lm used of what you consider to be basic 9 How did one Western newspaper in this documentary (e.g. archival human rights. Compare this with headline characterize Sukarno’s footage, dramatic re-construc- the United Nations Charter of Hu- fall from power? (‘Sukarno Goes tions). Does the use of these differ- man Rights. Quietly’) ent types of fi lm improve or detract from the documentary?

• Are there any public figures in 10 In one important scene, Carmel ISSUE 29 recent Australian history who have Budiardjo, the exiled human rights • Describe the narration of this docu-

escaped justice? Research a par- campaigner, talks with Indonesian mentary. Is it emotional or dispas- AUSTRALIAN SCREEN EDUCATION ticular subject (for example, Chris- school students before a monu- sionate? Do you think the whole topher Skase) and hold a debate as ment. Who does this monument story is being told? If not, what to whether this individual received commemorate? (It commemorates more would you like to hear? justice. the six generals murdered on the night of September 30th .) • What do you think the fi lm-makers AFTER VIEWING feel about the story they have told? 11 How did those arrested by Suhar- Are you aware of a defi nite point The following comprehension ques- to’s ‘New Order’ and tried in military of view being expressed by this tions are designed to encourage close court for their involvement in the documentary? If so, what is it? reading by students. failed coup justify their actions? 7 • The personal stories chosen are RESOURCES those of victims of the Suharto regime’s purges against the PKI. BOOKS Would you like to hear from a sup- porter of Suharto? Do you think the Carmel Budiardjo, Surviving Indone- documentary would be improved sia’s Gulag: A Western Woman Tells if this side of the history had been Her Story, Cassell, London, 1996. included? Why/why not? Robert Cribb (ed.), The Indonesian • What is the meaning of the fi lm’s Killings of 1965-1966: Studies from title, Shadow Play? Java and Bali, Centre of South-East Asian Studies, Monash University, ACTIVITIES Clayton, Victoria, 1998.

• Write a biography of one of the Harold A. Crouch, The Army and characters in the documentary. Politics in Indonesia, Cornell University Press, Revised Edition, 1988. • Write a newspaper report detailing the events of September 30th for R.E. Elson, Suharto: A Political Biog- an Australian newspaper, using raphy, Cambridge University Press, the information supplied by this Oakleigh, Victoria, 2001. documentary. Nawaz B. Mody, Indonesia Under • Draw a timeline using the informa- Suharto, Apt Books, New York, 1987. tion given by this documentary that covers the period from Indonesia’s Julie Southwood and Patrick Flanagan, gaining independence from the Indonesia: Law, Propaganda and Ter- Dutch until the present day. Include ror, Zed Press, London, 1983. the names of political leaders and the dates of all the significant Michael R.J. Vatikiotis, Indonesian events described. Politics Under Suharto: The Rise and Fall of the New Order, Routledge, • Investigate a current news story London, New York, 1998. occurring in Indonesia and com- pare it to the events detailed in the INTERNET SITES documentary. (Note: there are many sites, some with • Hold a class debate to discuss overtly political messages.) what the future of Indonesia might be. Include, as a major theme, BBC NEWS / ASIA – PACIFIC Australia’s relations with Indonesia, http://news.bbc.co.uk./low/ based on the current state of play english/world/asia-pacifi c/defa… between the two nations. ASIA OBSERVER • Imagine you are one of the people http://www.asiaobserver.com/ held in detention. Write a diary indonesia.htm entry describing conditions and your state of mind. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/ • Surf the World Wide Web for Inter- idtoc.html net sites that discuss Suharto’s rule. Choose two sites and review TAPOL them. See if you can detect any www.gn.apc.org/tapol bias in the information being pre- AUSTRALIAN SCREEN EDUCATION sented. Identify who has created each site. In each case, decide ISSUE 29 what the author’s purpose might be. 8 ISSUE 29 AUSTRALIAN SCREEN EDUCATION

9