India Lost... Selling a Colonial War

The documentary 'India Lost... Selling a Colonial War' unveils how the Dutch government maintained the narrative of a justified war in Indonesia (1945-1949) through framing, propaganda, and political decisions. The film illustrates how under the guise of 'police actions', the politics managed to sell this struggle to the public, while neglecting the violence on the other side during the Bersiap period. Internationally renowned historians from Indonesia, Australia, the USA, and the Netherlands provide insights into this complex history. 'India Lost...' places this war and its history in the international political context of the time, showing how various narratives continue to resonate today. Organized in collaboration with the Pennings Foundation, from August 15 to November 22, 2025, the Pennings Foundation will showcase the photo project 'My Dearest Teun' by Tahné Kleijn, inspired by her grandmother's diaries from when she was held in a Japanese internment camp during World War II. Additionally, portraits of former forced laborers by Jan Banning, from his well-known series 'Traces of War', will be displayed.