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‘Banda: The Dark Forgotten Trail’ highlights the nearly forgotten Spice Islands
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'Banda: The Dark Forgotten Trail' explores the story behind the Banda Islands, hoping to educate the young generation about the preciousness of nutmeg and how the Spice Islands shaped the history of Indonesia. (Sheila Timothy's Twitter/File)
I
n the 17th century, nutmeg was worth more than gold, leading people from Europe to travel all the way to the Banda Islands, Maluku, in the eastern part of Indonesia in search of it.
Despite its rich history, the Banda Islands are barely noticed these days, especially among the young generation.
Directed by Jay Subyakto, Banda: The Dark Forgotten Trail is a documentary, which explores the story behind the Banda Islands, hoping to educate the young generation about the preciousness of nutmeg and how the Spice Islands shaped the history of Indonesia.
Lifelike Pictures producer Sheila Timothy said on Thursday during a press conference in Rumah Indofood at Jakarta Fair Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, that a lot of significant events had occurred on the islands, including colonialism and genocide.
“[In Banda Neira], four of our founding fathers [Mohammad Hatta, Sutan Sjahrir, Dr. Tjipto Mangunkusumo and Iwa Kusuma Sumantri] were exiled,” she added, explaining that the Banda Islands played a crucial role in formation of the nation’s ideology.
Read also: Theater show about Maluku's Run Island to be performed in New York
Sheila also mentioned how Run Island, which is a part of the Banda Islands, was swapped for Manhattan, New York, in the Treaty of Breda.
Meanwhile, PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk Consumer Engagement head of Corporate Marketing, Fierman Authar, expressed a similar sentiment, saying that the company supported the project as it nurtured the spirit of nationalism among the young generation.
“We also realize that spices are among the main ingredients of our products,” he added.
Banda: The Dark Forgotten Trail is slated for premiere on July 31, which is also the Treaty of Breda’s 350 years anniversary.
The film’s director Jay Subyakto also said the documentary would be screened in local cinemas starting from Aug. 3. (kes)
