Sounds of Origin (2018)

Directed by: Hetty Naaijkens-Retel Helmrich | 112 minutes | documentary

In ‘Sounds of Origin’, filmmaker Hetty Naaijkens-Retel Helmrich takes the viewer back to the fifties and early sixties when Indo musicians caused a furore in the Netherlands. Shortly after the Second World War, these Indo-Europeans had arrived in large numbers from the then Dutch East Indies. The situation there had become untenable for them as a result of the independence struggle and in particular the Bersiap period. Sukarno had incited the Indonesians against anything that had the appearance of foreign authority. This led to massive and extremely violent popular anger against, among others, citizens with a full or partial Dutch background. The Indos with their (partly) Dutch roots and upbringing were no longer welcome and had to leave. In the Netherlands, however, they were certainly not welcomed with open arms. In ‘Sounds of Origin’ Indo musicians talk about that eventful period in their lives: the traumatic experiences in Indonesia, the cold reception in the Netherlands, and their attempts to settle in a new country.

The music turned out to be their salvation, because in addition to Indonesian culture, they also brought something that was practically unknown in the Netherlands: rock ‘n’ roll. This American music could often be heard on the radio in Indonesia and was again influenced by traditional Indonesian music, such as the Gamelan and Krontjong. With their exotic appearance and exciting modern sound, the Indo musicians achieved great success in the Netherlands, and even more so in Germany, or sometimes even worldwide. For example, it’s impossible not to be touched by the great playing of a band like the Tielman Brothers. The enthusiasm for their virtuoso playing is infectiously conveyed by lifelong fans who are still moved to hear Andy’s guitar playing and Loulou’s drumming.

The strength of ‘Sounds of Origin’ lies in the vitality with which the musicians, who are now over seventy, talk about the influence of their origin on their music, and what that music meant for their new life in another country. It is a succession of beautiful anecdotes, moving stories and a touch of nostalgia, held together by well-dosed historical information. The focus tends to waver as a result of the investigative style of documentary making; sometimes the emphasis is on the music, sometimes more on the person. That is not disturbing, however, but when those two research areas coincide, ‘Sounds of origin’ is at its strongest.