A 1930 Dutch colonial film where refusing an arranged marriage becomes a death sentence.
The parents of Christian girl Ria Rago have arranged for her to marry Dapo, a Muslim. She refuses and, after a beating, flees to the mission sisters who offer her a safe haven. Her father and his cronies aren't long in finding her, however, and she is taken back into the kampong. After months of torture, Ria still won't give in. She escapes again and manages to reach the mission post where she collapses. On the brink of death, she is administered the last rites. Ria's father decides to call off the marriage and returns the dowry to Dapo. On her deathbed Rita forgives her parents.
Acting
Ria Rago's actual suffering—she reportedly nearly died during production.
Production
Shot on location in Dutch East Indies with non-professional cast.
Director
Simon Buis
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Ria Rago was reportedly so genuinely ill during filming that producers feared she would actually die—her collapse scenes blur documentary and fiction.
This was Dutch propaganda disguised as religious drama, funded to promote missionary work and demonize indigenous Muslim practices in the colonial East Indies.
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