Indonesia to Unveil Epic War Saga of Prince Diponegoro
Visinema Pictures Announces Ambitious Historical Drama “Perang Jawa”
Indonesia’s Visinema Pictures is embarking on its most ambitious project yet, a sweeping war epic centered on the legendary Prince Diponegoro and his resistance against Dutch colonial forces. The film, titled “Perang Jawa” (The Java War), is slated for a 2027 release.
A Monumental Struggle Brought to Screen
The upcoming production will chronicle the pivotal five-year conflict between 1825 and 1830, during which Prince Diponegoro led the Javanese people against Dutch colonial rule. This brutal war, which claimed an estimated 200,000 lives, nearly toppled the Dutch colonial government in the region. The announcement strategically coincides with the 200th anniversary of the war’s commencement on July 20, 1825.
The screenplay was penned by Citra Award winner **Ifan Ismail**, who collaborated closely with renowned Diponegoro scholar **Peter Carey**. **Carey** is the acclaimed author of ‘The Power of Prophecy: Prince Dipanagara and the End of an Old Order in Java, 1785–1855’. Prince Diponegoro’s courageous stand became a powerful symbol of Indonesian defiance and national identity, a spirit that ultimately led to Indonesia’s official recognition in 1949.
Visinema Builds on Global Animation Success
This historical drama marks a significant tonal shift for Visinema, following the immense success of its animated children’s film, “Jumbo.” “Jumbo” recently achieved the distinction of becoming Southeast Asia’s highest-grossing animation of all time and holds the record as the top-grossing Indonesian film ever. The studio aims to replicate this success on a grander scale with “Perang Jawa.”
A Regionally Rooted, Globally Resonant Vision
The creative team behind “Perang Jawa” is dedicated to crafting a cinematic experience that is both deeply rooted in Southeast Asian culture and universally resonant. Their goal is to introduce international audiences to the rich legacy of regional resistance, intricate mythologies, and the profound moral questions inherent in such historical conflicts.
“With Perang Jawa, we’re building something we’ve never attempted before, a war epic rooted in Southeast Asia, crafted with the scale and cinematic intensity of global epics. This is about world-building, visual storytelling, and creating a visceral experience. We want audiences to feel the weight of this war, the atmosphere, the chaos, and the spiritual stakes, all through a distinctly Southeast Asian lens.”
—Angga Dwimas Sasongko, Director
The film’s producer and director, **Angga Dwimas Sasongko**, emphasized the project’s ambition. Visinema founder **Gita Wirjawan** will serve as executive producer, with **Taufan Adryan** also producing. Development is currently underway.
“Diponegoro didn’t fight for a throne or territory. Instead, he fought for respect, identity, faith, heritage and sovereignty which make this story timeless. His legacy is one of the most powerful underrepresented, and underrated in the region. Cinema gives us the scale, emotion, and language to bring it to life — not just for Indonesia, but for the region and the world.”
—Gita Wirjawan, Executive Producer
The Javanese resistance movement led by Prince Diponegoro is a potent reminder of the power of popular uprisings. For instance, the Indian independence movement, inspired by similar struggles for sovereignty, eventually led to the nation’s independence in 1947 after decades of colonial rule (Britannica).
Further announcements regarding casting, potential co-production partners, and international distribution plans are expected from Visinema in the coming months.
“Southeast Asia has a rich tradition of powerful cinema, from historical epics to deeply personal stories. With Perang Jawa, we hope to contribute something new: a regional war epic that brings our values, history, and spirit to the screen in a way that can also resonate with global audiences,” added **Sasongko**.