Dumbed down
As stated elsewhere, the film Storm Bound is based on a famous Dutch book for young adults called "The Cabin Boys of Bontekoe", which in turn is based on the journal of the historical captain Bontekoe who sailed for the Ducth East-Indies Company. The book dates from the end of the colonial era and breathes its world view, so the Dutch are presented as masters and the natives of Indonesia as subjects. This world view was not suitable for a 21st century film, so the film makers adapted the plot.
Unfortunately, they went totally overboard and dumbed down the story to a flick for small children, in which the only bad guys are grown ups, to be exact the Dutch merchant and his criminal side-kick. The natives are peaceful children of nature (and incidentally are very clearly NOT natives of Sumatra, where that sequence is supposed to play out).
On the plus side, the actor playing Bontekoe does a decent job and the replica Eastindiaman presents an interesting platform for many of the film's scenes.
Unfortunately, they went totally overboard and dumbed down the story to a flick for small children, in which the only bad guys are grown ups, to be exact the Dutch merchant and his criminal side-kick. The natives are peaceful children of nature (and incidentally are very clearly NOT natives of Sumatra, where that sequence is supposed to play out).
On the plus side, the actor playing Bontekoe does a decent job and the replica Eastindiaman presents an interesting platform for many of the film's scenes.
- paaskynen
- 8 nov 2011