Dasima

Dasima
Theatrical poster
Directed by	Tan Tjoei Hock
Produced by	The Teng Chun
Starring	S. Soekarti Mohammad Mochtar M. Sani
Production company	Java Industrial Film
Release date	1940 (1940) (Dutch East Indies)
Country	Dutch East Indies
Language	Malay

Dasima is a 1940 film from the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) directed by Tan Tjoei Hock and produced by The Teng Chun. It is the third adaptation of G. Francis' 1896 novel Tjerita Njai Dasima.

A merchant named Winata is building up his wealth, and though rarely at home, he provides his wife Dasima and their daughter whatever they desire. However, his jealous neighbours have spread rumours about him. Meanwhile, Dasima feels ignored by her husband's lack of time for her and his inability to get along with her father. This comes to a head when a neighbour, knowing that Winata is attending a business meeting at a nearby restaurant, says that he is womanising there. Dasima believes this, and she and Winata fight.

Dasima eventually leaves home to return to her parents' house, while her father finalises the divorce proceedings. In her hometown, Dasima is seen by Samioen, a gambling addict who is stricken by her flaunted wealth. He and his friend Poeasa arrange to meet her on the road, and over subsequent meetings Samioen works his way into Dasima's heart. Although they are eventually married, Dasima is heartbroken to be treated like a servant by Samioen's mother Saleha and sister Hajati. Samioen, meanwhile, rapidly loses Dasima's wealth gambling. Eventually, Samioen sells all of Dasima's possessions.

A melancholic Dasima realises that she has been deceived. She reminisces on her marriage with Winata, regretting her decision and hoping to make amends. She ultimately attempts to escape, with Samioen and Poeasa giving chase. When she is cornered on a bridge, she jumps into the river in an attempt to escape. After Samioen and Poeasa leave, Dasima is recovered from the river by two fishermen, who bring her to Winata's home. After a month of futile treatment, she gathers the last of her strength and requests her ex-husband's forgiveness before dying.

After Dasima's funeral, Winata vows revenge. He reports the crimes of Samioen and Poeasa to the police, with his report supported by testimony from the two fishermen and a man who had worked with Samioen. However, desiring personal revenge, Winata races ahead of the police to Samioen's home and battles Samioen and Poeasa, emerging victorious. The police arrest Samioen and Poeasa, who are sentenced to life in exile. Saleha and Hajati, meanwhile, fall into poverty.

Dasima, produced by The Teng Chun for Java Industrial Film (JIF), was the directorial debut of Tan Tjoei Hock. The had discovered Tan whilst the latter worked as an unpaid assistant at a drama troupe which frequently performed at Prinsen Park (now Lokasari). Impressed, The asked Tan to join JIF. Though Tan had never been involved in film, he accepted.