Erasmus Huis presents

After Multatuli Left:
Lebak Trapped Between Local Feudalism and Dutch Colonialism

Film Screening, Book Launch and Discussion

Speakers:
Arjan Onderdenwijngaard (author)
Andi Achdian (historian)
Moderated by Annayu Maharani

Thursday, August 13, 2026
18:00

Erasmus Huis
Jl. H. R. Rasuna Said Kav. S-3
Jakarta Selatan

FREE
No reservation is required, you can come directly to the Erasmus Huis

About the Event
The 2021 documentary film After Multatuli Left and the newly translated book Lebak, Kota Multatuli: Terjebak antara Feodalisme Lokal dan Kolonialisme Belanda offer a 160-year chronicle of the novel Max Havelaar and its influence in Indonesia. This event features a film screening followed by a book launch published by Marjin Kiri. During the launch, copies will be presented to House of Representatives (DPR) member Bonnie Triyana and Head of Museum Multatuli Ubaidilah Muchtar. The program concludes with a panel discussion featuring author Arjan Onderdenwijngaard and historian Andi Achdian, moderated by Annayu Maharani.

About the Film "After Multatuli Left"
Directed by Yogi D. Sumule, After Multatuli Left explores what has or has not changed in Lebak since Max Havelaar was published in 1860. The film follows Arjan Onderdenwijngaard as he revisits Badur and connects with individuals he first filmed 32 years ago, with the novel Max Havelaar and archival footage from 1987 serving as the main references for the documentary.

About the Book "Lebak, Kota Multatuli: Terjebak antara Feodalisme Lokal dan Kolonialisme Belanda"
More than 160 years ago, under the pseudonym Multatuli, Eduard Douwes Dekker sparked significant dialogue in literary and political circles through his masterpiece Max Havelaar (1860), addressing injustices and sufferings endured by people of Lebak. But what remains of Multatuli’s traces and legacy in Lebak today? Visual storyteller and writer Arjan Onderdenwijngaard traveled to the heart of Lebak Regency to offer a rich sociological and cultural portrait of how Multatuli and his work continue to transform within the collective memory of modern Indonesia.