DJAKARTA 1946

After World War II, and Indonesia’s declaration of independence from Japan and the Netherlands. ISA is a former fighter turned elementary school teacher. His services during the war for independence makes him a seasoned soldier but puts a constraint in his marital bed. But the war leaves Jakarta in turmoil. The president has abandoned the capital city when the Dutch return in tandem with their ally, the British, reinforced by the Indian army, nicknamed “the Sepoys”. Their return to the newly self-liberated country rings ominous. To be a teacher in a time like this means almost no income. To support his wife, FATIMAH, and an orphan boy they adopted, SALIM, Isa resorts to stealing books and working for a revolutionary organisation. By his side is his close friend and violin student, HAZIL, young, handsome with an eagerness to fight. Together with Hazil, Isa is tasked with an assassination of a regular at Batavia Cafe, a gathering place for the Europeans. The target is an important Dutch official. When the mission starts to wear Isa down, Hazil takes his chances in winning Fatimah.