A piece of fabric, a beat, a dish. And behind it: a history that is still palpable.
In Batik, Beats & Bumbu, we follow young makers with Indonesian roots who are reshaping their cultural heritage in fashion, music, and food. Personal stories and creative energy come together in a documentary about identity, memory, and the connection between the Netherlands and Indonesia.
For more than 350 years, the Netherlands and Indonesia were connected. After World War II, thousands of Dutch people of Indonesian descent moved to the Netherlands, where many stories and experiences remained unspoken. Now, a new generation is exploring what has been passed down and what that history still means today.
In Batik, Beats & Bumbu, director Claire Pijman follows various creators who seek connection with their Indonesian roots in their own way. Myrthe Groot and Romee Mulder of fashion atelier Guave translate traditional batik into contemporary fashion. DJ and photographer Sekan brings Indonesian pop music from the 70s and 80s back to life through his label Jiwa Jiwa. Culinary artist Vanja van der Leeden looks beyond the traditional rijsttafel and explores new stories behind Indonesian cuisine. And the band Nusantara Beat mixes traditional Indonesian influences with psychedelic indie pop.
Together with artists from Indonesia, a vibrant and contemporary picture emerges of cultural exchange between generations, countries, and art forms. The film shows how heritage continues to move and change. Not as something from the past, but as something that continues to take on new forms today.
Batik, Beats & Bumbu is a documentary about identity, creativity, and the search for what you carry with you, even when you do not always have the words for it.
What is a film dome? Where can I park? What food and drinks are available? Are there accessible restrooms?
