Melati van Agam (1940 film)

Melati van Agam Indonesian for Jasmine of Agam is a 1940 romance film directed by Tan Tjoei Hock and produced by The Teng Chun. Starring S. Soekarti and A.B. Rachman, the film follows young lovers named Norma and Idrus. The film may be lost.

After her marriage Norma goes with Nazzaruddin to Kota Raja, Aceh now Banda Aceh, where she must raise Nazzaruddins children from a previous marriage. Their marriage becomes increasingly unhappy Nazzaruddin is unable to handle his wifes Western education, whilst Norma sinks further into a depression after hearing of the heartbroken Idrus death. A pregnant Norma returns to Fort de Kock and, after giving birth, is divorced by Nazzaruddin he thinks the child resembles Idrus, and thus proof that Norma had been unfaithful. Eventually Norma commits suicide and is buried next to Idrus. Nazzaruddin sees her spirit take Idrus in hand as they ascend to heaven together.Melati van Agam was directed by Tan Tjoei Hock for Java Industrial Films and produced by the companys owner, The Teng Chun. Tan adapted the story from the 1922 novel of the same name by Swan Pen a pseudonym of journalist Parada Harahap. The novel had already been adapted for the stage several times, and a silent film had been released in 1931 by Tans Film. Marketing emphasised Harahaps role as the original novelist at the time, the film industry was attempting to push away from the theatrical traditions, and journalism was considered a modern profession. The plot likewise contrasted traditional lifestyles and modern ones. ........

Source: Wikipedia