The ethics of war burden a soldier in Magnet Releasing and New Amsterdam Film Company’s “The East.” Taking years to complete, the project stands as a testament to new attitudes towards filmmaking on a global scale. It also proves to be a nuanced exploration of psychology through a battle against authority.
Director Jim Taihuttu comes to the film years after his work with “Rabat” and “Wolf.” Critics warmly received both, but it was Taihuttu who made a choice to pursue his interests in music. As one half of the duo Yellow Claw, he would go on to chart with albums like “Never Dies” and the EP “Danger Days.” When it was time to create ‘East,’ he joined Mustafa Duygulu to craft the script. Duygulu, best known for “Catacombe,” also directed some film scenes due to travel restrictions.
‘East’ faced an uncertain future after going over its budget. The project found an unexpected boost from the pandemic and a changing perspective on international filmmaking. “Fortunately, Amazon came on board, which gave us the chance to finish the film,” Taihuttu said. “Without COVID, that would never have happened. The feeling that this was a huge failure only went away after we were able to shoot the final scenes at the end of last year.”
The timing was not just a factor in financing. Taihuttu also revealed how close the project came to being scrapped before it ever passed the writing stage. “Because if it had taken another ten years, the living witnesses would no longer have been here for the research, and the interest might well have dissipated completely.”
Here’s the film’s official synopsis:
“During the post-WW2 Indonesian War of Independence, a young Dutch soldier joins an elite unit led by a mysterious captain known only as “The Turk.” When the fighting intensifies, the young soldier finds himself questioning – and ultimately challenging – his commander’s brutal strategy to stop the resistance.”
Martijn Lakemeier and Marwan Kenzari star in “The East.” The film will be released on August 13. Watch the trailer below.