Batik, Beats & Bumbu

Filmmaker Claire Pijman follows young Dutch artists with Indonesian roots in the documentary Batik, Beats & Bumbu. You see how they translate batik, Indonesian pop music, and cooking traditions into the present day. Screening at De Balie in Amsterdam. Documentary about Indonesian heritage and contemporary art

In Batik, Beats & Bumbu, filmmaker Claire Pijman follows young Dutch artists whose (fore)parents grew up in the Dutch East Indies. They show how they deal with a legacy that is not always easy to define. The documentary explores what it means to absorb something of a culture that seems distant, but feels close.

Art, music, and food as a connection

Myrthe Groot and Romee Mulder translate batik into contemporary fashion in their atelier Guave. DJ and photographer Sekan breathes new life into Indonesian pop music from the 70s and 80s through his record label Jiwa2. Culinary artist Vanja van der Leeden looks beyond the traditional rijsttafel. The band Nusantara Beat builds a bridge between languages, styles, and generations with their music.

Identity and exchange at the center

In collaboration with artists from Indonesia, a story unfolds about identity and giving meaning to what you have been given. The documentary asks questions without offering ready-made answers. Are you interested in stories about culture, heritage, and contemporary art? Batik, Beats & Bumbu is showing at De Balie in Amsterdam.