Gadis Desa

Gadis Desa
Flyer, Malang
Directed by	Andjar Asmara
Written by	Andjar Asmara
Starring	Basuki Djaelani Ratna Ruthinah Ali Joego Djauhari Effendi
Cinematography	AA Denninghoff-Stelling
Production company	South Pacific Film Corp
Release date	1949 (1949) (Dutch East Indies)
Country	Indonesia Dutch East Indies
Language	Indonesian

Gadis Desa (literally Maiden from the Village) is a 1949 comedy from what is now Indonesia written and directed by Andjar Asmara. Starring Basuki Djaelani, Ratna Ruthinah, Ali Joego, and Djauhari Effendi, it follows the romantic hijinks of a village girl who is taken to be a rich man's second wife. The film, produced by a Dutch-run company, is recognised as the first in which future "father of Indonesian film"Usmar Ismail was involved.

Abu Bakar (Ali Joego) attempts to evict Amat after the latter falls behind on his rent, only to fall in love with Amat's beautiful daughter Aisah (Ratna Ruthinah). He says that she shall work as his maid, although he intends to make her his second wife. Rusli (Basuki Zaelani), Aisah's cousin and a manservant at Abu Bakar's home, discovers this plan and tells Abu Bakar's wife. Aisah is sent back to her village and Rusli, who has fallen in love with her, proposes.

Gadis Desa was produced by the South Pacific Film Corp (SFPC), a film production house owned and run by the Netherlands Indies Civil Administration, a continuation of the former colonial government of the Dutch East Indies. The film was directed by the former journalist Andjar Asmara, who had worked for SPFC since 1948. The film was adapted from a stage play he had written for the travelling troupe Dardanella in the early 1930s. He brought Usmar Ismail, a young journalist with whom he had previously discussed filmmaking, to the production as an assistant director. The two native men had limited creative input, serving more as acting and dialogue coaches. The Dutch cameraman, AA Denninghoff-Stelling, held more power over the final product.

Gadis Desa starred Ali Joego, Ratna Ruthinah, Basuki Zaelani, and Djauhari Effendi. All had had theatrical experience: Joego had been a member of Dardanella with Andjar, Ruthinah and her husband Zaelani –making their feature film debut – had been members of the Matahari touring troupe, while Djauhari had been active in the theatre during the Japanese occupation beginning seven years earlier.