Guest
In this film we take a time travel trip back to the Dutch East Indies in the 1920s to witness the entire process of planting, growing, harvesting, processing and transporting tobacco. Under Dutch rule, the cultivation of spices, herbs and especially tobacco formed the most important pillar for economic growth and increased prosperity, both for the Dutch colonists as for the local population. We take a trip by train into the interior of one of the Indonesian islands, probably Java, to see the tobacco culture at first hand. The whole cultivation process is shown in chronological order, from the moment the tabacco seeds are planted until the final processing stage. To large extent this film is self-explanatory. One of the remarkable observations that can be made is the extensive use of pesticides and other chemicals. Probably a pesticide called “Schweinfurter“, also called “Paris Green“, was used to eradicate insect and rodent damage to the tobacco plants. It is a highly toxic emerald-green crystalline powder invented in 1814 by two chemists, Russ and Sattler from Schweinfurt in Bavaria. Also remarkable is the use of Sulfur powder, which seems to have also been used extensively as insecticide. In the film boys can be seen spreading sulfur powder over the leaves of the tobacco plants. Other children can be seen collecting catterpillars and other destructive insects. For more details, please watch the film without further narration and read the explanatory information in the CC captions while the film plays. Final comment: In 1948 the Netherlands gave up rule over the Dutch East Indies after enormous pressure by the United Nations, driven by the agressive, hard-handed way in which the Dutch tried to regain controll after the Japanese occupation during WW-II. A period that the Dutch cannot be proud of. Note: Please refrain from discussing the negative effects of colonialisme and the Dutch rule over Indonesia. It was a different era with different customs, practices and living conditions. Judging the past by looking at it through present day eyes, and projecting current norms and values will not lead to a better understanding of life in that period of history. In stead, take this time travel trip and try to soak up the whole atmosphere of how life used to be in Indonesia a century ago. Music: Edward Karl Hanson & Sight of Wonders Source: Beeld En Geluid.
