VAN DER WIJCK

At this old age
the memories of youth is still very much alive with
and the imagination and sentiment.still crowd the soul.

It was around that time that I began
to gather the inspiration behind this tale.One that might prompt them to say,
"It's as if you are recounting your own past."

THE SINKING OF THE VAN DER WIJCK

Whoever it is that serves as center of this story,
he has been stricken by misfortune since his young age.

An orphan living alone with his caretaker.
An adaption from the novel
"The Sinking of the Van der Wijck" by Buya Hamka
My world feels confined
if I remain here in Makassar, Auntie.

Let us also fulfill my parents' wishes.Let me see the land from where I came from.The birthplace of my father.
I'm concerned, Nak...
that your family in matrilineal Padang
might not welcome you with open arms.
That won't happen.
You're simply worrying, Auntie.
Aren't I the legitimate son of Pendekar Sutan?
Father's family will surely
welcome me with a glad heart, Auntie.I will bid farewell at my parents' graves first.

Greetings.
-Greetings.Auntie, there are many
who praise the land of Padang.
Many say that Islam
even came here through Padang.And they say that there are now
religious schools there.
Before your father, Sutan, passed away,
he left 1,000 gulden...
...for our living expenses and your education.You must invest the funds
as you have done, Auntie.

I only need some for my travels, Auntie,
and a few hundred for my living expenses while away.
Greetings.
-Greetings.Who is it? Who are you looking for this late at night?
-Greetings. I am looking for Auntie Jamilah.
I am Auntie Jamilah. Who are you?
-I am Zainuddin. From Makassar.
Zainuddin? From Makassar?
-I am Pendekar Sutan's son.
Zainuddin? Sutan's son?
-Yes, Auntie.

Ah, come in, come in.
Excuse me.
What brings you here?Is there any last messages of your late father's
that you need to pass on?
No, Auntie.
I merely wish to preserve the relations.I wish to visit Father's relatives
in this village of Batipuh.If so, you will be staying for a while then?
It is best to discuss this with the elders of my family.That is our custom in receiving guests ho.To tell the truth... I am not--
-I... could help a bit, Auntie.So long as I can stay.I want to see the beauty of the birthplace of my father.
I also want to study Islam.Don't misunderstand me, Zainuddin.
It's not that I'm asking for money...
I was simply afraid of not being able to serve a guest.

Please have a drink.
-Yes, Auntie.

Take a look at the birthplace of your father.
-Dear God. It's so breathtaking.
If you want to study Islam you can visit
the religious school after evening prayers.
You could also listen to the prayers being recited.
Yes, Uncle. I would love to.Just returned from school, Ati?
Yes, Uncle.
Who is that, Uncle?
Her name is Hayati, 'nature's beauty'.
The locals call her
'the beauty of Mount Merapi, the pride of her family'.
Hayati is an orphan.
Hayati and her brother, Ahmad, live with their uncle.
He is the Chief Elder of this village.
Hayati and Ahmad go to school in Padang Panjang.
She is so beautiful.
-Of course she is. She's the beauty of Batipuh.

Unfortunately, her uncle has declared her
off limits to the young men of Batipuh.
In this village, the power of the Chief Elder
could seal the fate of his niece.
Zainuddin, we'll be off.
-Yes, go ahead.
Ati, look at who's arrived.
He's staring at you, Ati.
-... Shh.What if it rains until morning, Ati?
We could be here all night.
We won't be able to go to school, won't graduate.
I'll become dumb.

Banun and Hayati, two poor Minang maidens.
It isn't that bad. Sweltering heat has its shades,
rain will also eventually let up.
Hayati, go on home.
Use my umbrella.
Go on.Your uncle would be furious if you come home late.Ati, don't refuse someone's kindness.
It isn't nice.
But... what about yourself?
-I'm a man. This is nothing.
Even staying here overnight wouldn't be a burden.
Ah, rain comes with its blessings.
Goodwill brings with it fortune.You're more than welcome to spend the night here.
It just so happens that none of the dishes
piled high as Mount Merapi have been washed.
Thank you, Zainuddin.
Come, Ti.
Go on home, Hayati.
So your family doesn't worry.
Thank you, Zainuddin. Farewell.
Greetings.
-Greetings.
Where should I return this umbrella to?
I-I'm staying with Auntie Jamilah, Hayati.
May peace be with you.
Through my brother, Ahmad,
I hereby return the umbrella I have borrowed.
How grateful I am for your kindness.
My gratitude cannot be expressed
through this letter.
Firstly, you willingly braved the rain...to look after a girl you have yet to know.

Secondly, I am even more grateful
that I could get to know and exchange words with you,
someone who is known to be kind.
And so the rain brought with it
not only showers, but also blessings.

May it be that in the near future,
I could return your kindness.
Hayati.

You're here, Zainuddin.

I have been waiting for you.
'Waiting for me...' What is it that you mean?

Please let me know so I can hurry on home.
-I was afraid of disturbing you.

I have been waiting for you simply to give you this.

So shakes my hand as I begin to write to you.

Greetings.
-Greetings.
My heart drives me on to write.

Feelings abound,
but as soon as I hold my pen, I lose my thoughts.

I am unsure of where to start.
It is apparently unseemly in the eyes of others
that I write this letter.
I know a little
of the strong customs of your village.
In Makassar, I am considered a Padangese.
Here, I am considered a Makassarese.
How is he?
-Same as last year, still being bullied.
Excuse us, Zainuddin. This concerns us.
It is better if you stay out of it.
You are not a Minang.

It is better if you leave us alone.

How about if we inform the regions?
No, let's conduct a seminar.
-Agreed! A seminar!

I apologize for pouring out my sorrow, Hayati.

I send this letter without requesting a reply.

I am simply pouring my heart out.

And I am certain, a hand that soft,
eyes filled with such honesty...
will not break one's heart.
Will you become my closest friend, Hayati?

I realize that I am a destitute and an outcast.
An orphan.
But as God wills, my heart is true.
Do believe me. It will be difficult for you
to find a heart as pure as mine...
as it has been washed
by tears of suffering since my birth.
May peace be with you.
Signed, Zainuddin.

Hayati, look... It's Zainuddin.

Thank you, sir.
Where from, Zainuddin?
I... From where I usually sit down to write.
-What do you write?

Manuscripts and stories, Hayati.

Hayati, I'll go first.
Mother is waiting for the water.
Yes, go ahead. I will be with you in a moment.
Zainuddin.

Where have you gone these past four days?
-I am embarrassed, Hayati. I am afraid.
You don't have to be on account of your letter.

Such a beautiful letter
that opens the key to the human heart.
I regret that I don't possess the eloquence
such as yours...
to return such a graceful letter.
Haven't I told you that I'm not asking for a reply?
I only ask for one thing,that you do not break the heart
of the one who seeks shelter in you.

Hayati, you give me hope.

You have given me the strength
to have the courage to declare the truth.

And here is my sincerity, Hayati.
I am emboldening myself to confess...
that I love you, Hayati.
It is my hope that you consent
to becoming my lifelong companion.
My heart has fallen for you.
May you consent
to becoming my companion through life and death.
I await for your reply with bated breath, Hayati.

Zainuddin.

Greetings.
-Greetings.

Where from, Zainuddin?
-From Anwar's house, my religious studies classmate.

A-and you, Hayati?
-From gathering water.

Ah, I see...

Where is Anwar?
-He's not coming with.

Ah yes, m-may I help you?
-T-there's no need, Zainuddin.
In that case, I'll be off.
-Yes, farewell.
We have to act fast.
That outcast has dared defile the customs of our people!My ears are burning
listening to what people are saying out there.
The two were by themselves at the cottage.If need be, we'll resort to violence.
We'll get the hoodlums to take care of him!
Elder Garang! That is not the way
of the Minang people. We do not resort to violence.
We have to speak on their level.
I will ask him to have a heart to heart.
Yes, Chief Elder.
Greetings.
-Greetings.
Have you heard, Hayati?
-What about, Chief Elder?
Zainuddin.

I have instructed him to leave Batipuh.
If he really wishes to pursue his studies
as he has intended...
it is best for him
to leave for Padang Panjang or Bukittinggi.

He is aware of this.
Why have you sent him away?
There have been too many false accusations
against his relationship with you!
But our relationship is chaste, Chief Elder.
It does not cross the boundaries of decency.
Ati! Do not measure the values of your village
against the books that you read.
Love is just a fanciful delusion, a fairytale in a book.
You are the pride of the family.
Zainuddin is not of Minang lineage!
You have brought shame! Destroyed the family name,
brought down your elders, disrupted the village...
upset households and shamed your village.
Don't you know? Mount Merapi still stands tall.
Our custom still remains strong.
It has withstood the test of time.
Zainuddin wishes to follow the right path,
he wishes to ask my hand in marriaght It could not be, Ati!
Someone like him cannot be relied upon
as a support in life.
In this age and time,
a husband has to have a definite lineage.
He has to have a livel hee has to be able to provide a living.If you marry Zainuddin and bear children,
who will they look up to among their father's relatives?

How could you have slain Zainuddin?

How could you have also slain me, your own niece?
That is not my intention, Hayati...
One day, you will understand.
You will praise my decision,
the very one you lament today.
I have plenty of experience, Ati.
This is why I am the Chief of Elders.
I have experienced life's ups and down May your love for Zainuddin perish.
You may cry now, but you will eventually see reason.
Farewell, Auntie.
Greetings.
-Greetings.
Zainuddin... Leave Batipuh immediately.
Your name is being mentioned repeatedly.
I heard a few young men are intending harm.Leave immediately for Padang Panjang.Look for Mr. Labay. He teaches religion.
He is kind hearted and kind mannered.Study under his tutelage.
Zainuddin...
Hayati.
Zainuddin.
-How did you know I would be here?
This is where you usually write.
Zainuddin...

There is nothing I can say to keep you from leaving.

Zainuddin.

I heard this morning that you will be leaving Batipuh.

Even if you go, you will always be close to my soul.

Zainuddin, never grief. Do not despair.
Love does not weaken the heart.
It does not bring forth tears. It does not break hope.
Instead, it strengthens the heart.
Breaths life into hope.
Go, Zainuddin.
May God grant protection to us both.
Hayati...
Whether I despair or grow hopeful in this uncertain life,
it is not dependent upon my own self.
Neither is it due to others.
It is because of you, Hayati.
You are the one who could give me courage.You, too, are the one who has the power
to make me suffer for eternity.You could destroy my hope.
You, too, could slay me.Zainuddin...
My heart is filled with love for you.
And may God hear that it is you, Zainuddin,
who will one day become my husband.If not here on earth, then my husband in the afterlife.I will not betray my vow.
Will not lie before God.
The spirits of my ancestors as my witnesses.Your vow is such a grave one, Hayati.
-It is not. It is the truth.And whether you wander far or even near,whether you return within a year's time, two, or ten,whether this village of Batipuh has turned dark
before your return...I will still be waiting.
Go search for our happiness.Wherever you go, I will still be yours.And should we one day meet,
I will remain pure and untouched for you, my love.For you.
If it is so, Hayati, I will leave full of hope.A hope that was nearly extinguished
before I saw you standing before me.

Hayati, write me some letters.
And should there be no hindrance,
I will then reply in kind.
I will write them as often as I can.
I will pour out all the feelings in my heart.
As you have said all this time,
Through letters we could more freely
express our feelings."
Hayati... who knows when else we would meet.
Give me a token. My talisman in life.
And I shall request it be buried in my grave when I die.
Please... Even if it isn't worth anything to you,
to me it holds an untold value.

Keep this as your talisman.

My heart and soul is with it.

Farewell, Zainuddin.
Padang Panjang is indeed the place
to pursue one's studies. The place to study Islam.
The religious schools are more progressive.
Where I went to school,
the students were taught English and Dutch.
I have discussed this with Muluk.
Muluk will occupy the room in the back,
you will stay in the one upfront.
Yes, Auntie.
Where has your son gone to, Ana?
-The marketplace, where else?
He's a delinquent after all.
-A shame. He should've followed his father's footsteps.
Abdul Bahri is a good man.
Well-respected around these parts. And here his son...
Ah, Zainuddin, let me take you to your room.
-Yes, Auntie.
This way.
-Excuse me.
What are you? The son of the devil?
Greet someone properly.
Hey, you're here. I didn't see you earlier, Uncle Etek.Of course I would've greeted you properly
if I had seen you, Uncle Etek.This is Zainuddin. He will go to school here.
He wishes to study Islam under your uncle.Greetings. I was told to stay in your room.
-That's quite alright. I'm often out anyway.He prefers to visit other people's stalls.
God knows what he does over there.He refuses to go to school when told to.
And to pray?... Such a lazy son.Zainuddin, Muluk, take a look at this.
Mr. Darwis, my English teacher,
has his article published in the newspaper.
I could submit my articles, too.
I could make some money.
How lucky. He had the pleasure to write,
and at the same time earned some money.

What's the pleasure in writing?

My hands would get tired.
-Do they get tired when you use them to gamble?
Ana, you need pray unceasingly for your son.
So he can become a God-fearing son.
Become mature and return to the mosque.
Dear, God! Will you look at him?
No shame whatsoever.

Put it back!
You must have not eaten yet.
Come join me at the stall.
-Alright.
Labay?

I will teach you how to gamble.
-Dear God! Muluk!

VAN DER WIJCK
TO SAIL FROM JAVA TO ANDALAS
Zainuddin, my beloved...
I can breath freely now.
We will soon see each other, love of my heart.
I have been given permission to visit Padang Panjang.
Ten days to come see
the horse race and the bustling fair.