Fatima (1938 film)

Fatima is a 1938 film from the Dutch East Indies now Indonesia directed by Othniel and Joshua Wong. Written by Saeroen, it starred Roekiah, Rd Mochtar, and ET Effendi and followed two lovers who are disturbed by a rich youth. The film followed the same formula as the earlier hit Terang Boelan Full Moon 1937, and saw commercial success domestically. It is one of three films which Misbach Yusa Biran credits with reviving the domestic film industry, which had been faltering.

The success of Albert Balinks Terang Boelan in 1937, released in a stagnant domestic film industry, led the Tan brothers Khoen Yauw and Khoen Hian to reestablish their production house Tans Film. For the companys first production, the Tans called the Wong brothers, Othniel and Joshua, to direct and handle daily activities with the company. The Wongs, who had served as cinematographers for Terang Boelan but found themselves unemployed after the studio closed its feature film division, accepted. They also handled cinematography on Fatima, shooting in blackandwhite.The Wongs brought with them much of cast of Terang Boelan, as well as some crew members. The previous films writer, Saeroen, penned the story for Fatima, closely following the same formula of romance, good music, and beautiful scenery as his earlier film. The main cast members, including Roekiah, Rd Mochtar, and ET Effendi, as well as actors in minor roles like Kartolo Roekiahs husband, also joined. They were given higher wages than when they had worked on Terang Boelan. Roekiah, for example, earned a monthly fee of 150gulden, with another 50 gulden for Kartolo this was twice as much as she had earned previously. ........

Source: Wikipedia