Anak Indië is a film that explores themes of resilience, identity, and a collective history—one that continues to resonate in the Netherlands today. The country is home to more than two million individuals with ties to the former colony of Nederlands-Indië, The Dutch East Indies or Hindia Belanda including over 300,000 who had to return to the Netherlands.

The film *Anak Indië*, directed by Hetty Naaijkens-Retel Helmrich, is both poignant and humorous. Its title translates to “Children from the Indies,” playfully referencing a popular Indonesian joke: “In the Netherlands Due to Circumstances,” which offers an ironic take on the acronym INDO, In Nederland Door Omstandigheden, Indo as Indo European and not INDO as Indonesian, Indonesians use the word INDO as an abreviation.

In this film, past and present intertwine through a rich tapestry of stories. Utilizing collage animations, rare archival footage, and insightful interviews, it captures the experiences of The Dutch Indies individuals who navigate their lives between cultures. Notable contributors, including Claude Vanheye, Yvonne Keuls, Thé Tjong-Khing, Adriaan van Dis, and Mariëtte Hehakaya, share their personal journeys.

Identity, resilience, and heritage.

The film unfolds as a quest, with stories woven together in an associative montage. This structure not only highlights the unfamiliarity with this aspect of Dutch history but also mirrors the fragmented nature of memory.

Shot in the style of Single Shot Cinema, the film features a fluidly moving camera that continuously follows the main subjects, enhancing the intimacy of the narrators and intensifying the emotional resonance. Additionally, collage animations revive forgotten moments, such as the journey through the Suez Canal and the origins of the Indo-European population.