







































 

 
 

 62 

 

Received:  

May 20, 2023 

 

Revised:  

June 15, 2023 

 

Accepted:  

June 19, 2023 

The Development and Competition of Cinemas in Jakarta, 1950-1966 
 

Ghesa Ririan Mitalia* 
Master Program of History, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada 

Jl. Nusantara 1, Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta-Indonesia 

 

*Corresponding Author: ghesaririan20@gmail.com 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/ihis.v7i1.18125 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Introduction 

Jakarta is a city with a long history. Starting from a port area known as Sunda Kalapa in the 

14th century AD, until then changing its name to Jayakarta after the forces led by Fatahillah 

(Falatehan) managed to expel the Portuguese and reign in the area in 1527 (Noviyanti, 2017, 

p. 55). After the VOC successfully took control of those areas in, they changed the name 

Jayakarta to Batavia (Noviyanti, 2017, p. 58). Batavia developed into a central city of 

government and an economic center during the colonial era. Jakarta (Batavia) then become 

one of the oldest of the colonial cities established as a result of European incursion into South 

East Asia (Cobban, 1971, p. 108). During the Japanese Occupation, Batavia changed its name 

Abstract 

 
The return of Jakarta as the capital of the Republic of Indonesia was followed by 

significant developments. The development of Jakarta cannot be separated from 

the massive increase population. Jakarta is also going through numerous 

infrastructure developments as well as the resurgence of its entertainment 

industry, particularly cinemas. This article questions, why cinemas in Jakarta 

experienced their ups and downs during 1956-1966 and how could be it survived 

through the difficult times? The period 1950-1966 become a unique period for 

Indonesia because of the influx of pop-cultures and trends from the west amidst 

the euphoria of nationalism. In the mid of the surging nationalism after the 

revolutionary, the western culture had entered and become trend among young 

people. The cinemas in Jakarta were gaining popularity with the large number of 

western films (Hollywood). However those paradoxical situation then developed 

into a political problem. Imported films were deemed not in accordance with the 

nation’s character and contradicted to the revolution’s spirit so they needed to be 

banned. It was actually connected to the nation’s situation at that time, which was 

currently in conflict with Malaysia and the United States of America. This political 

conflict escalated in the early 1960s and subsided after the Coup Attempt of 30 

September Movement. Those conflicts made Jakarta’s cinemas suffered a difficult 

time. The absence of imported films, especially from India, Malaysia and 

Hollywood, had an effect on the declining number of spectators. However, it was 

surprisingly emerged another entertainment genre such as Sandiwara which 

gaining popularity. During 1960s, cinemas in Jakarta not only had to deal with the 

political issues but also had to compete with Sandiwara. 

 

Keywords: Cinemas; Movies; Jakarta; Sandiwara; Political Conflict. 
 



 

 
 

 63 

to Jakarta, the name that continues to this day. The shift of power from the Dutch colonial 

government to the Japanese occupation government did not change the existence of Jakarta as 

a central city. Until the return of Jakarta as the capital of the Republic of Indonesia in 1949. 

The return of Jakarta as the capital of the Republic of Indonesia, makes Jakarta the center 

of all affairs, both political-administration and economic matters (Candiwidoro, 2017, p. 58). 

Jakarta has experienced various growths, starting with population growth, infrastructure 

development and the growth in the entertainment sector. The cinema was one of the most 

enjoyable entertainment activities in Jakarta during the 1950s and 1960s, as it was also 

affordable and also easy to reach. The increase in the number of cinemas in Jakarta is also quite 

impressive. The new cinemas in Jakarta are built to be as grand as possible with the capacity 

of over 1000 spectators, as well as equipped with facilities that provide increasing comfort for 

the audience. The growth of cinema in Jakarta in the 1950s period itself was not apart from the 

conditions of the national film production that also experienced development. 

The development of cinema in Jakarta and national film production reached its peak in 

1955. Unfortunately, entering 1956 Indonesian film production experienced a decline that later 

impacted the conditions of the cinemas in Jakarta. Indonesian films suffered a decline in 

production due to the inability to compete with imported films that are increasingly flooding 

the cinemas in Jakarta. Various forms of action were then launched to protect the national 

films, but those actions too focused on bring the better condition of the national film and forgot 

the fate of the cinema in Jakarta itself. Cinema in Jakarta not only had to face the various issues 

that arose when entering 1956, but also had to compete with Sandiwara, as another form of 

entertainment. The political problem that heated up in the early 1960s had d distinct impact 

on the sustainability of cinemas in Jakarta. This condition then makes it an interesting 

phenomenon to explore further. 

 Research on the development of cinema in Jakarta itself, especially when the 1950s-

1960s have not been done extensively. Previous research mostly focused on discussions about 

the development of national film production, and rarely paid special attention to the 

development in cinema. For example, Misbach Yusa Biran (2009), Sejarah Film 1900-1950: Bikin 

Film di Jawa, discussed the history of Indonesian film in 1900-1950. The discussion of the 

Indonesia film production is also being the part of the research of M. Abduh Aziz (2019), Dari 

Layar Perak: Film di Hindia Belanda 1926-1942. M. Abduh Aziz focused on the Indonesia film 

production during colonial era. Handrini Ardiyanti’s research (2017), Perfilman Indonesia: 

Perkembangan dan Kebijakan, sebuah Telaah dari Perspektif Industri Budaya, also focused on 

Indonesian’s film industry. Handrini Ardiyanti discussed the impact of the development of 

film policy on the growth of Indonesian’s films industry. On these research, Handrini 

Ardiyanti also discussed about the cinema but has not yet focused on the cinemas in Jakarta. 

The focus of discussion about the cinemas all over Indonesia was made on a group of 

writings compiled by Haris Jauhari et al, Layar Perak: 90 Tahun Bioskop di Indonesia, also 

research of H. M. Johan Tjasmadi (2008), 100 Tahun Bioskop di Indonesia. Unfortunately, those 

books have not been focused on the cinema in Jakarta area. The latest study that focuses on 

the development of cinemas in Jakarta is the research of Dwi Deani Danishya (2021), Pasang 

Surut Bioskop di Jakarta (1950-1986). Dwi Deani Danishya narrated the history of cinema in 

Jakarta from 1950 to 1986. Dwi Deani Danishya’s research has a longer period, until 1986 and 

that research has not discussed the struggles of cinemas in Jakarta during 1950s-1960s to 

compete with Sandiwara. This study try to complete the previous studies which focused on the 

development of cinemas in Jakarta and also attempts to analyze things that have had an impact 

on the development of cinema in Jakarta in the period 1950-1966. 



 

 
 

 64 

 According to Antariksa, cinema is not just a form of entertainment but also a 

representation of movement and development (Antariksa, 2005, p. 127). Johan Tjasmadi (2008) 

showed on his study that the growth of the cinemas all over Indonesia is strongly influenced 

by the political issued that occurred. This study want prove that the growth of cinemas in 

Jakarta is strongly influenced not only by the political issued but also by the conditions of the 

national film industry, and the presence of the other forms of entertainment. This study used 

the historical methods on  four  stages: heuristics, sources criticism, interpretation, and 

historiography. Those stages are used to answer three main questions 1) how is the 

development of cinemas in Jakarta? 2) what are the factors that affect to the development of 

cinema in Jakarta? 3) why is cinemas in Jakarta experienced their ups and downs during 1956-

1966? 

 

Method 

This article uses social historical research method, which uses qualitative-descriptive analysis. 

Literature study is used to focus the analysis on the dynamics of cinema development in 

Jakarta during the 1950s-1960s. This study is uses a social approach to analyze the social 

conditions in Jakarta in relation to the development of cinema. The analytical descriptive 

method is carried out through the following steps, the first that is done is the heuristic stage 

that is to find and find the necessary sources, both primary and secondary sources (Colby, 

2020, p. 358). The author uses primary sources such as archives from The National Archive of 

The Republic of Indonesia and also some articles or image from newspapars and magazines 

from The National Library of The Republic Indonesia. Archives that related to cinema and film 

industry all over Indonesia can be found on the collection of Inventaris Arsip Sekretariat Menteri 

Koordinator Kompartemen Perhubungan dengan Rakyat (Menko Hubra) 1963-1966. For newspapars 

and magazines that used as the sources on this study are published newspapars and 

magazines during 1950-1966 such as Abadi, Aneka, Antara, Berita Yudha Sport & Film (1966), 

Indonesia Raya, Sin Po, Sunday Courier. The secondary sources are also used to complete the 

information or the facts that has been collected from the primary sources. The secondary 

sources used are reference books that have related to the topic of this research. Those reference 

books are collections of The National Library of The Republic Indonesia, Film and Photograph 

Library (Sinematek Indonesia). 

After those sources have been collected at the heuristic stage, source criticism is carried 

out (Milligan, 1979, p. 178). At this stage, external and internal criticism are carried out to test 

the authenticity and reliability of historical sources based on their physical condition and their 

content. Based on the source criticism (external and internal), the authenticity of those primary 

sources has been guaranteed since they are obtained from the institutions that are authorized 

to conserve them. The credibility of those sources is also guaranteed since they used the 

spelling of Indonesian Republic, and occasionally some terms or words in Dutch could also be 

found. This corresponds to the period in which the sources were published. On these stage, 

there is also a distinction between primary and secondary sources.  

After doing the critical analysis of sources, the next step is to do the interpretation of 

historical facts based on previously collected and selected sources. The final stage of the 

process is writing the synthesis result obtained from the heuristic stage, sources critisim, and 

interpretation to produce a chronological historical work, or historiography. 

 

 

 



 

 
 

 65 

The Emergence of Cinemas in Jakarta, 1950-1955 

A fairly massive development of Jakarta began when it returned to being the capital in 1949. 

The massive construction to establish Jakarta as a capital was becoming increasingly cluttered 

especially after 1958, with the enactment of the Indonesian-Japan war compensation treaty. 

During the 1950s, modernity became a mandatory element to represent, and Jakarta was 

formed into a city with a variety of new buildings. (Fakih, 2005, p. 126). The symbols of the 

colonial era that existed in Jakarta sought to be replaced with new forms that more represent 

Indonesian nationalism. The direction of Jakarta's development seeks to present a completely 

new urban city, not as a continuation of Batavia by rejecting the existence of the old city (Fakih, 

2005, p. 129). One of the elements of modernity that lives in Jakarta society is the existence of 

a cinema. 

The 1950s became an important period for the development of cinema in Jakarta. 

Cinemas in Jakarta experienced rapid development and increased in number (Danishya, 2021, 

p. 5). It began with the inauguration of the most luxurious cinema at that time, the Metropole 

Cinema in 1951 (Aneka, 1951). The Metropole Cinema will add the number of cinemas in 

Jakarta to 60 cinemas. (Abadi, 11 April 1951). This number seems to include not only cinemas 

that have buildings but also cinemas without buildings such as Luxor and Luna (Jauhari (ed.), 

1992, p. 60). This number makes Jakarta one of the cities in Indonesia with a considerable 

number of cinemas. The total number of cinemas in Indonesia until 1953 was 513 cinemas 

(Jauhari (ed.), 1992, p. 53). Cinemas become more popular than the folk entertainment, 

especially among the young, because their location is in the center of the city and their security 

and facilities are guaranteed (Batubara, 2020, p. 17). 

The most striking characters of the cinemas in the 1950s and 1960s were the cinema class 

system and the audience class. The cinemas in Jakarta are divided into I, II, and III classes, 

while the audience class is divided into classes balkon, loge, and stalles. The division of this class 

system is a characteristic feature of colonial societies that actually survived post-

independence. The distinction, then, is that the class arrangement is no longer politically 

discriminatory (based on race). After independence, the people of Jakarta had the freedom to 

choose the cinema they wanted. The division of the cinema class and the audience class after 

independence was more to distinguish the cinemas in Jakarta based on the facilities of the 

movie theater and also the film played, which of course further implied the size of the ticket 

price (HTM) charged. 

Class I cinemas have the best facilities such as a bench used in the form of a comfortable 

sofa, vigilant hygiene, and good ventilation with the presence of an exhauster or blower that 

makes the air in the room cool. This is definitely not going to be found in the class II and III 

cinemas. Class II and Class III cinemas are not equipped with room coolers, or the existing 

ventilation is not good enough. The seats are rotan seats, even in some cinemas, those rotan 

chairs become a nest of bedbug (kutubusuk). This division of the cinema classes then affects the 

film characters played on each cinema classes. As can be seen in the Table 1. 

The differences in film characters played in each cinema class are also not exempt from 

the influence of the two major groups that dominated most of the cinemas in Jakarta in the 

1950s, United Cinema's Combination and Independent Cinema's (Kristanto, 2004, p. 373). The two 

groups are closely tied to the distributor of imported American films, AMPAI (American 

Motion Picture Association in Indonesia). They are required to show a specified number of films 

over a certain period of time. Films that have been screened in one of the cinemas in the group 

will be shown in other cinemas that are members of the same group (Kristanto, 2004, p. 374). 

This method is then used to carry out monopolies.  



 

 
 

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Table 1. Characteristics of Cinema Classes in Jakarta in the 1950s 
 

No.  
Cinema 

Class 

Character 

Film 
Spectator 

Class 

Spectacle 

Tax 
Film Access 

1 I 

Prefer high-

quality films 

that are 

categorized in 

grade A films 

Balkon 
33.3% of 

the 

entrance 

ticket 

price 

Obtaining the right as the first 

runner theater (cinemas that 

have their turn supplying 

class A films in the first 

round for weekend days), have 

the first turn supplying class 

B films for midweek.  

Loge 

Stalles 

2 II 

Prefer quality 

films that are 

categorized in 

class A films, 

and also films 

with class B 

quality 

Loge 25% of 

the 

entrance 

ticket 

price 

Obtaining the right as second 

runner theater (cinema that 

gets supply of class A films 

in the second round for 

weekend days, the first supply 

of class B films for weekend 

days and supply of class C 

films for midweek). 

Stalles 

3 III 

Prefer almost 

all classes of 

film, whether 

class A films, 

class B films 

or class C 

films 

- 

12.5% of 

The 

entrance 

ticket 

price 

Get the last shift for class A 

supply, the second turn for 

class B film supply and the 

first turn for class C film 

supply. 

Source: Compiled from Tjasmadi, 2008, pp. 5-6. 

 

The monopoly on the arrangement of film screenings by those two groups of cinema 

rulers in Jakarta did not have much impact on national cinema. Indonesian film production 

was able to cope with pressure and continued to experience an increase from 23 titles in 1950 

to a peak in 1955 with 65 titles (Kristanto, 2007). Film studios also experienced an increase in 

numbers. Jakarta is home to most film studios, including PFN, Perfini, Persari, Golden Arrow, 

Bintang Surabaja, Tan & Wong Bross, Studio Garuda, and Jakarta Film Co. (Sunday Courier, 

No. 30, 1952). In 1953, the film by Usmar Ismail entitled Krisis was the first Indonesian film to 

be screened in Jakarta’s elite cinema, the Metropole Cinema. The film lasted 35 days in 

Metropolis. It is not that easy for Indonesian films to be played in the elite cinemas of Jakarta 

given that most of the class I cinemas are dominated by United Cinema’s Combination and 

Independent Cinema’s, where the two groups are strongly bound to distributors, especially 

distributors of imported films (the advertisement of United Cinema’s Combination and 

Independent Cinema can be seen in Figure 1). The success of the Krisis was then continued by 

Tiga Dara, Rodrigo de Villa, and Djanjiku. 

The flood of imported films in the 1950s was a rather unique phenomenon. As a newly 

independent nation free from physical revolution, the sense of nationalism and love for 

national culture and art are still so strong. Being an Indonesian in the 1950s meant being 

modern. (Lindsay, 2011, p. 18). But on the other hand, films and pop culture from abroad 



 

 
 

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(especially from Hollywood) gain more popularity among young people in Jakarta than 

Indonesian films. They often watch western films and try to follow trends from abroad 

(Blackburn, 2011, p. 262). However, the healthy competition between imported films and 

Indonesian films in the early half of the 1950s created a good atmosphere in support of the 

development of cinema in Jakarta. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 1. United Cinema's Combination and Independent Cinema's Groups in an 

advertisement 

Source: Abadi (1951, 19 May). 
 

The popularity of the cinema as entertainment for the people of Jakarta is also driven by 

the entrance ticket price (HTM), which is still considered affordable. The highest HTM is for 

the balkon class 1 cinema, which is about Rp 3,-, while for the loge class in class 1 cinema it is 

Rp 2,- and Rp 1,- in class II cinema. The stalls cost Rp 1,- in class I cinema and Rp 0.5,- in class 

II cinema. The class III Cinema Class does not apply classes for seats; its cost is around Rp 0.25 

(Inventaris Arsip Sekretariat Menteri Koordinator Kompartemen Perhubungan dengan 

Rakyat).The affordability of the cinema's HTM can be seen by comparing the lowest ticket 

prices, which are in class III cinemas, with the price of rice, which is the main food of the people 

of Jakarta. If compared with the cheapest rice price (TC quality) in 1950, it cost between Rp 68 

and Rp 85 per quintal, which means Rp 0.68 up to Rp 0.85 per kilogram (Antara, 1950). The 

lowest cinema's HTM is still cheaper than the price of 1 kilogram of TC-quality rice. This makes 

cinema a popular form of entertainment among the Jakarta community. 

The popularity of cinema that continued to rise during the 1950–1955 period among the 

people of Jakarta was also seen in the increase in the amount of spectacle taxes deposited on 

the government of the Kotapraja Jakarta Raya. In 1952, the government of the Kotapraja Jakarta 

Raya received revenues from the cinema tax of Rp. 4.615.988. n 1954, the amount received by 



 

 
 

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the government of the Kotapraja Jakarta Raya jumped dramatically to Rp. 13.000.000, which is 

between Rp. 10.000.000 and Rp. 11.000.000 and comes from the cinema (Indonesia Raya, 1954). 

Unfortunately, the period of growth of cinemas in Jakarta began to experience turmoil 

in 1956. National films are not able to compete with imported films in terms of quality, 

technology, or entertainment, especially Hollywood, Indian, and Malay (Malaysia) films. The 

main competitor for Indonesian Films actually are Indian and Malay (Malaysia) films 

(Ardiyanti, 2017, p. 169). The Indian and Malay (Malaysia) films dominate Jakarta’s cinema in 

the middle and lower classes, which are the market share of Indonesian films and also have 

the largest audience numbers. However, the dominance of Hollywood films is also worrying 

because it has become a barrier for Indonesian films to be screened in elite cinemas. 

The AMPAI’s dominance on the share of imported films distribution in Indonesia, 

especially on the network of the elite cinema in Jakarta, caused Jakarta’s class I cinemas to be 

dominated by Western films (Hollywood). Indonesian films have become difficult to penetrate 

the elite cinemas because they are seen as not having good stories and cinematographic 

quality. Reviews about Indonesian films that are published in newspapers or magazines are 

often also in the form of sharp criticism, and not a few are also insults. Several newspapers 

then became reluctant to publish news about Indonesian films (Biran, 1990, p. 42). This then 

leds more and more people to come to the conclusion that Indonesian films are ndeed low 

quality, due to the lack of information in it (Biran, 1990, p. 42). Indonesian film entrepreneurs 

themselves are too fixated on being able to penetrate high-class cinemas and forget that the 

Indonesian film market share is in class II and class III cinemas.The films produced became 

versatile, incapable of reaching the quality of the films played in elite cinemas, and 

incomprehensible to the audience in lower-class cinemas.This situation makes it difficult for 

Indonesian films to maintain their market share. The poor atmosphere in the national film 

industry has more or less influenced the course of the development of cinema in Jakarta. 
  

The Struggles of Cinemas in Jakarta, 1956-1966 

Cinemas in Jakarta had a difficult time during 1956-1966 because of the domestic political 

situation and the emergence of Sandiwara. In the early to mid-1950s period, it can be said that 

the cinemas in Jakarta are in their brightest era. This era is also supported by the development 

of the national film industry, whereas the national film industry, which at that time had just 

started. The success of the film Krisis penetrated the elite cinema of Jakarta and attracted 

audiences from elite groups in a remarkable number, as well as the number of film productions 

that continue to increase, in fact, it is not able to maintain the good conditions of national film. 

The national film industry began to decline in 1956 after reaching its peak of production in 

1955. The number of Indonesian films that were produced from 1950 until 1966 can be seen in 

the Table 2. 

It can be seen that in 1956, the amount of national film production was only half the 

amount produced in 1955. The Production then continued to decrease until 1966, and it made 

a huge impact to the cinemas. The decline in the amount of production is not despite the 

difficulties of Indonesian films gaining market share. Facing these conditions, the government 

then issued a mandatory policy to screen Indonesian films. The Mayor of Jakarta at that time, 

Soediro, issued a regulation that requiring elite cinemas in Jakarta to show Indonesian films 

(Ardiyanti, 2017, p. 169). However, those policies were in fact ineffective in resolving the 

problems of imported films. 

 

 



 

 
 

 69 

Table 2. Total Production of Indonesian Films 1950-1966 

Year Amount Year Amount Year Amount 

1950 23 titles 1956 35 titles 1962 12 titles 

1951 40 titles 1957 21 titles 1963 19 titles 

1952 37 titles 1958 19 titles 1964 20 titles 

1953 49 titles 1959 16 titles 1965 14 titles 

1954 60 titles 1960 38 titles 1966 13 titles 

1955 65 titles 1961 38 titles   

Source: Compiled from Kristanto, 2007. 

 

The issue of imported films was also warming up and even growing, which was 

originally only an industrial issue that became a political issue when it entered 1964 (Irawanto, 

2017, p. 97). Indonesian films find it difficult to compete with Western films that dominate the 

top-class cinemas in Jakarta. It must be acknowledged that, in terms of quality and technology, 

Hollywood films far outweigh Indonesian films. The surprising thing is that Indonesian films 

also did not lose their place in the lower-class cinemas because of the presence of Indian and 

Melayu (Malaysian) films that were actually preferred by the lower-class cinema's audience. 

The reason why Melayu (Malaysian) films are being populer is because of their strong 

entertainment elements that suit the lower-class audiences. Melayu (Malaysian) films are easy 

to understand compared to idealistic Indonesian films, and they also contain many songs that 

are easy to enjoy for the audience. Several Indonesian films at that time also had songs, but the 

songs used the Jakarta Studio Orchestra style, which could not suit the taste of lower-class 

audiences (Biran, 2009, p. 151). 

This later made the presence of Melayu (Malaysian) films considered a problem because 

Melayu (Malaysian) films were considered to seize the share of the Indonesian film market by 

dominating the lower-class cinemas in Jakarta. The government then attempted to restrict the 

import of Malaysian films by imposing a 3:1 system: for every 1 (one) Malaysian film title that 

enters Indonesia, it is mandatory to import 3 (three) Indonesian film titles. This rule led 

Malaysian entrepreneurs to retreat because they refused to play Indonesian films there. They 

are worried if the audience in Malaysia turns to prefer Indonesian films, which are actually 

much better than Malaysian films (Biran, 2009, p. 115). The condition automatically decreased 

the number of films imported from Malaysia in Indonesia but increased the number of films 

imported from India. The decline in Malaysian films has made Indian films dominate the 

market share of Jakarta's lower-class cinemas. The number of Indian films increased 

dramatically during the 1950s. The comparison of numbers imported films is in Table 3. 

 

Table 3. Comparative Number of Imported Films in Indonesia 

Country 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 

America 660 660 675 531 352 423 

India 12 ? ? 15 74 184 

Philippines 3 7 23 20 11 3 

Malaya 3 3 27 22 8 6 

Source: “Referat Bachtiar Siagian: Kebudajaan”, Harian Rakyat, 13 April 1957. 

 

Table 3 shows that the number of Indian films has continued to increase since 1952. 

According to Budi Irawanto, in 1952, the number of Indian films had only 7 titles but rose 



 

 
 

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sharply to 74 titles in 1954 and 184 titles in 1955 (Irawanto, 2017, p. 97). Table 3 also shows that 

when Malaysian films dominate the lower-class cinemas in Jakarta, Indian films are unable to 

compete with them. This is because the composition and musical instruments in Indian films 

still sound strange to the audience compared to Malay songs. The drastic increase in the 

number of Indian imported films in 1954, although overall still below the amount of 

Hollywood films, remains worrying because the market share of Indian films is in the lower-

class cinemas of Jakarta. Their audience is much larger when compared to the elite cinema 

audiences. This concern is also due to the fact that since 1956, the number of Indonesian films 

produced has declined. 

This is what prompted a number of Indonesian film artists who joined the Indonesian 

Film Artists Association (PARFI) to come to President Sukarno and deliver a resolution related 

to the import of film (Sin Po, 14 Maret 1956). In 1956, Indian films became the main target to 

be limited in number. This is because Indian films dominate the middle and lower-class 

cinemas that have a larger audience when compared to the audience in the upper-class 

cinemas. Protests against the many Indian films that flooded the cinemas in Jakarta were also 

carried out by PPFI (Persatuan Pengusaha Film Indonesia). 

The government approved PPFI’s request. They restricted imports of films from India. 

The government also issued regulations on screentime quotas, obligatory weekend screenings, 

and minimum hold-over figures for Indonesian films (Inventaris Arsip Sekretariat Menteri 

Koordinator Kompartemen Perhubungan dengan Rakyat). The cinemas in Jakarta are obliged 

to play at least one Indonesian film title every two months, while in other cities, one Indonesian 

film title is played each month. 

In fact, these rules have not yet become a solution to the difficulties faced by Indonesian 

films. Problems in the Indonesian film industry were even worse because, in 1957, PPFI 

members closed all their studios as a form of protest against Indian films, which still dominate, 

as well as the rising prices of goods, which led to an increase in the amount of money required 

for a film production (Indonesia Raya, 1957). In 1958, it was the turn of American films to be 

targeted for restrictions on imports. These actions were initiated by SARBUFIS (Sarekat Buruh 

Film dan Seni Drama). American films were accused of taking up the void left by Indian films 

after they were restricted (Fahmi, 2022, p. 7). The issue of imported films became more serious. 

It became a political issue in 1964 with the formation of PAPFIAS (Panitia Aksi Pemboikotan 

Film Imperialis Amerika Serikat). This PAPFIAS action of boycotting imported films, 

especially from Hollywood, then succeeded in dissolving AMPAI on 17th August 1964, by the 

Ministry of Trade (Kementerian Perdagangan). 

Since the boycott action on imported film from America was launched, none of the 

cinemas in Jakarta have dared to show American films, although there are several cinemas 

that still have American films in circulation (have been approved by the Film Censorship 

Committee for public showing). They do not want to take the risk by showing American films. 

Riots often occur in cinemas that still show American films (Irawanto, 2017, p. 105). People are 

becoming reluctant to come to the cinema. Cinemas in Jakarta have also had to experience a 

shortage of film’s stock since the suspension of AMPAI activities. Indonesian film production 

is unable to meet the needs of the cinemas in Jakarta, so they import films from Russia, West 

Germany, and China to cover the shortage of stocks (Ardanareswari, 2012, p. 48). 

Unfortunately, people don’t really like these substitute imported films. The quality of those 

films could not compete with Hollywood films, and the economic conditions have worsened 

since the early 1960s. People do not want to spend money watching films. All of these became 

the factors that made cinemas in Jakarta face even worse conditions and struggle to maintain 



 

 
 

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their existence. The declining interest of the Jakarta public in watching films in cinemas can 

also be seen from the reduced amount of spectacle tax paid by cinema entrepreneurs in Jakarta 

to the the government of the Kotapraja Jakarta Raya. It is estimated that the deposited spectacle 

tax was reduced by up to 50% (Duta Masyarakat, 22 Juni 1964). 

Various actions that took place from 1956 until the dissolution of AMPAI in 1964, 

influenced on the condition of the cinemas in Jakarta. Jakarta's cinemas were taken to the dark 

times. The reduction in imported films caused cinemas to lack of audience. The lack of 

audience forced many cinemas in Jakarta to close their businesses because they could no longer 

afford operational costs. The striking conditions experienced by the cinemas in Jakarta have 

been worsening because of The Coup Attempt of 30 September Movement. At a meeting held 

by the Ministry of Information (Kementerian Penerangan), The representatives of OPS 

(Organisasi Perusahaan Sejenis) Bioskop said that the condition of cinemas in Jakarta after the 

Coup Attempt of 30 September Movement was getting worse. Jakarta previously had 45 

cinemas, but at that time there were only 20 of them, the remaining 25 have had to go out of 

business or change their function to become puppet theaters (News Yudha Sport & Film, 28 April 

1966). 

 

The Competition between Cinema and the Sandiwara Performance 

The other form of entertainment available for the people of Jakarta besides cinemas is 

Sandiwara. Sandiwara is a form of performing arts as well as entertainment that was first known 

and popular before the introduction of gambar ideop to Indonesia. The layout design of the 

Sandiwara building, which has a balcony area, was then adapted to the concept of building a 

cinema hall from the beginning of the emergence of cinema buildings until the end of the 

1960s. Some cinema buildings in Jakarta even have double functions as cinemas as well as 

theaters for stamboel plays and comedies by removing the screen (Jauhari (ed.), 1992, p. 10). 

Sandiwara experienced its golden times during the reign of the Japanese Occupation 

because it functioned as a propaganda medium. The popularity of the Sandiwara continued 

into the early 1950s. Just like cinema, Sandiwara is considered to have a certain quality as 

entertainment and is still accessible to the people of Jakarta (Berita Indonesia, 20 Februari 1954). 

Jakarta, as the capital city of the Republic of Indonesia, has always been a favorable destination 

for several Sandiwara’s troupes from other regions to hold performances. Such as the visit of a 

quite well-known sandiwara’s troupe from West Sumatra, Ratu Asia, in 1951. Jakarta also has a 

legendary sandiwara’s troupes which is an permanent troupes, Miss Tjitjih. Miss Tjitjih is still 

loved by their audience since they always presents a story that is easy to understand, their 

story tend to be light and emphasizes the story-telling process. The titles of Miss Tjitjih's plays 

are often made full of sensations to attract the interest of the audience, such as “Mati Beranak 

Diliang Kubur”, “Setan Djembatan Antjol”, “Sarinah Mati Dua Kali”. Miss Tjitjih performance hall 

is in Kramat-Senen, next to The Rex Cinema. 

With the cinema gradually gaining their popularity among the people of Jakarta, Miss 

Tjitjih lost their audience. One of the reason is that their play was performed in Sundanese. 

Automatically, the audience for Miss Tjitjih was limited to those who understood Sundanese. 

The youngest generation in Jakarta is not interested in Traditional Sandiwara like Miss Tjitjih. 

This urgency that has been faced by Miss Tjitjih also experienced by other troupes in the mid-

1950s. Sandiwara lost much of a nationalistic impetus when compared during the early part of 

century and during The Japanese occupation (Asmara, 1995, p. 166). The number of Sandiwara 

performances in Jakarta is no longer as high as before. Sandiwara only held at certain times, 



 

 
 

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such as at a theater week or at a celebration or for a charity event (the advertisement of 

sandiwara can be seen in Figure 2).  

This condition cannot be separated from the increase in the number of cinemas in Jakarta 

and their popularity, which is increasingly overtaking sandiwara’s performance. Cinemas in 

Jakarta not only more numerous but also available in almost all areas of city, making it easy 

for the audiences to reach them. Its conditions are different from the sandiwara, not all groups 

of people in Jakarta can reach where the plays are shown. Sandiwara’s performance usually 

takes placeion The Art Building (Gedung Kesenian) and Gelanggang Samudara, which are 

both not easy to reach at that time (due to lack of public transportation). Ticket prices for 

sandiwara’s performances are also more expensive compared to cinemas. Cinema ticket prices 

are much cheaper. Watching sandiwara’s performances can cost up to Rp 10,- and the lowest 

price is Rp 5,-. Even though the price being reduced by the government up to Rp. 5, - and the 

lowest price is Rp. 3, - it’s still more expensive compared to cinemas. In the cinema, people can 

afford the cheapest tickets in class III cinemas for only Rp. 1,- . Ticket prices for Sandiwara’s 

performances are difficult to make as cheap as cinemas because the operational costs of a 

Sandiwara troupe that can reach 100 members are quite expensive. 

 

 

Figure 2. The advertisement of a sandiwara’s performance for charity was held at the Jakarta 

Arts Building (Gedung Kesenian Jakarta) presented by Persafi. 

Source: Berita Indonesia, (1951, 28 December). 

 

The conditions of Sandiwara were as terrible as those in Indonesian film industry in the 

mid of 1950s. Both of them are pressured by the presence of imported films that dominate 

cinemas in Jakarta. Various attempts were then made by many stakeholders to improve the 

conditions of sandiwara, such as establishing ATNI (Akademi Teater Nasional) in 1956 (Biran, 

2009, p. 172). The Association of Indonesian Film Artists (and Sandiwara), also known as 

Persafi, also made great efforts to maintain the viability of Sandiwara’s troupes by holding 



 

 
 

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regular performances for charity purposes at the Art Building (Gedung Kesenian), (Aneka, 

1952). 

The government of the Kotapraja Jakarta Raya is also taking part in supporting 

Sandiwara’s performances by lowering taxes on their plays and other spectacles such as sports 

and native people's shows, which are considered weaker than cinemas. The tax was lowered 

from 40% to 33.5% of gross revenue (Berita Indonesia, 12 September 1952). The government of 

the Kotapraja Jakarta Raya also organizes traveling sandiwara’s performances to provide 

entertainment for residents who are unable to go to the cinemas to find some refreshment for 

themselves after daily routines. The sandiwara’s performance, which is held by the government 

of the Kotapraja Jakarta Raya, is also used as a channel for the government tp spread any 

information.  

Unfortunately, these efforts are not enough to make a better conditions for sandiwara’s 

performance in the mid of 1950s. The people of Jakarta are more interested in watching films 

at the cinemas. For most of them, watching films at the cinema is not only a way to get the 

refreshment but also a way to show their existence. it is because the cinema was a symbol of 

modernity. For the youngest generation in Jakarta, sandiwara’s performance is less prestigious 

compared to the cinema. Some people also find that sandiwara’s performances not that 

entertaining since their plays are too strange to understand or too spectating because they 

contain informational interests for the government. 

This conditions surprisingly changed in the 1960s. Sandiwara’s performance was in a 

better situation while the cinema in Jakarta was facing some struggles. As we know, cinemas 

in Jakarta have to try hard to survive in the absence of imported films from Hollywood, and 

also from India and Malaysia. The audiences of cinemas in Jakarta already prefer imported 

films from Hollywood, and also from India and Malaysia, but due to political and ideological 

struggles, they were forced to watch the imported films for other country that were not 

considered not contrary to Indonesia’s ideology. The sandiwara’s performances revived with 

the attention of the leftists, especially Lekra. Informally affiliated with Indonesia Communist 

Party (PKI), Lekra encouraged artist to show social commitment in their works (Jurriens, 2013, 

p.11). Lekra sponsored many Sandiwara, which incorporate socialist propaganda into their 

perfomances (Asmara, 1995, p. 166). Even though the sandiwara’s performances are loaded 

with propaganda purposes aimed at the peasants, laborers, and fishermen, the presence of 

Lekra has successfully revived sandiwara’s performances which had been sluggish due to 

competition with the cinema. Unfortunately, this situation did not last long because of The 

Coup Attempt of 30 September Movement. Once again, sandiwara’s performance suffered 

difficult times. Many of sandiwara’s troupes were then froced to disband because they were 

considered or accused of being affiliated with the Lekra. Lekra itself accused of being part of 

PKI, the mastermind behind the Coup Attempt of 30 September Movement. This accusation 

was made by the New Order government under President Suharto. 

 

Conclusions 

This study focused on discussing the transformation on the cinemas in Jakarta especially 

during the 1950-1966. Based on the previous explanation, there are 3 (three) things that can be 

obtained from this study. First, during the period 1950–1966, the cinemas in Jakarta 

experienced remarkable dynamics. The period 1950–1955 was a golden year for the 

development of cinema in Jakarta. It began with the inauguration of the most magnificent 

cinema that later became the pride of the Jakarta community in 1951, the Metropole Cinema. 

The development of cinemas in Jakarta couldn’t be separated from the development of the 



 

 
 

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national film industries, which also continued to experience development until it reached its 

peak in 1955 with the successful production of 65 films. The 1950s were also a time when 

imported films flooded the cinemas in Jakarta. The upper-class cinemas are dominated by 

western films (Hollywood), while the lower-class cinemas are dominated by Malaysian and 

Indian films. 

Second, the development of cinemas in Jakarta did not last long, until 1956. The 

dominance of imported films in various cinema classes in Jakarta has taken Indonesian film 

market share, thus becoming an obstacle to the development of national cinema. This then led 

to a number of actions to limit the number of imported films circulating in order to protect the 

national film indsutries. These actions later developed into political acts in 1964–1965. 

Imported films, especially American and Indian films, were successfully boycotted from the 

cinemas of Jakarta, but that action had a great impact on cinemas in Jakarta. They must face 

the threat of a shortage of film stocks. Lack of film stocks and unattractive import-replacement 

films make the cinemas in Jakarta increasingly secluded from the audience. The situation even 

became more difficult after The Coup Attempt of 30 September Movement. The imposition of 

nighttime treatment on the people of Jakarta has made it difficult for the cinemas in Jakarta to 

stay open at the night. These conditions have caused several cinemas in Jakarta to end their 

operations or change their functions. 

Third, the up and down cinema in Jakarta happened in the opposite direction of the 

Sandiwara. When the cinemas in Jakarta are in a growing era, they are able to urge Sandiwara 

performances. Cinema is considered to be more entertaining than Sandiwara performances. 

But, when the cinemas in Jakarta faced a difficult time in 1956–1966, the Sandiwara 

performances, on the contrary, showed their gains in popularity. This cannot be separated 

from the existence of Lekra which has biggest concern on the traditional art performance. 

Lekra produces many free Sandiwara performances that can reach out to marginal 

communities for sake of their propaganda. Unfortunately, The Coup Attempt of 30 September 

Movement, bringing back Sandiwara’s performance, experienced difficult time, just like the 

cinema. Some of Sandiwara groups have to face charges of involvement with PKI because they 

are affiliated with Lekra, which is considered to be an the underbow of Indonesia Communist 

Party (PKI). 

 

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