War film Jogja" ("Six Hours in Yogyakarta", 1951) and "Serangan Fajar" ("Attack at Dawn", 1983) covers the Indonesian war of independence (1945–1949). Two other films about the same period portray the Indonesian equivalent of the Chinese Long March: Usmar Ismail's "Darah dan Doa" ("The Long March", literally "Blood and Prayer", 1950) and "Mereka Kembali" ("They Return", 1975). Each of these films interprets the past from the perspective of its own time. The more recent "Merdeka" (Freedom) trilogy (2009–2011), starting with "Merah Putih" ("Red and White", the colours of the flag of the new Indonesia), revisits the campaign for independence through the lives
Merah Putih (2009 film) of brave young Indonesians willing to sacrifice their lives for the independence of Indonesia needed to be retold to the younger generation of Indonesia – and to the world outside, where few people know much about Indonesia's long and bloody struggle for independence. Allyn brought technical experts from Hollywood films to work hand in hand with the Indonesian filmmakers, including Sastha Sunu as editor and Thoersi Argeswara as music director. Shot in 35-millimeter film, Merah Putih gathered a topflight team of special effects and technical experts with experience in Hollywood films, including the British special effects guru Adam Howarth (Saving