Writer-director Ena Sendijarević’s second feature film, “Sweet Dreams”, follows in the footsteps of other arthouse films like “Zama”, “The Settlers”, and “The Tale of King Crab” that explore Europe’s troubled colonial history through a postmodern mix of satire, surrealism, and cinematic lyricism. Set in 1900 in the Dutch East Indies, the film tells the story of a family running a prosperous sugar plantation whose lives are upended when their patriarch suddenly dies. Left to deal with the aftermath, the landowner’s wife and children are exposed to the limits and terrors of colonialism as they encounter Indigenous people who refuse to submit.
The film is shot in the 1.33:1 Academy ratio and is divided into chapters, giving it the structure of a novella. This approach allows Sendijarević to maintain a certain distance from the subject matter, viewing it through a contemporary prism that critiques the racism and exploitation of the colonial era. The Dutch characters are presented as grotesque caricatures in comparison to the Indonesians, adding a dark comedic tone to the film. However, this stylistic choice sometimes hinders the emotional engagement of the audience.
Despite its occasional shortcomings, “Sweet Dreams” showcases Sendijarević’s talent as a filmmaker. She demonstrates a fine sense of craft and a deep understanding of the skewed European attitudes of the period, where Indigenous people were seen as mere tools for the accumulation of Western wealth. The film takes place at a time when the Dutch were losing their grip on the territory they had controlled for a century, reflecting the broader decline of colonialism during that era.
The story revolves around Jan, a plantation owner who suddenly dies, leaving his widow Agathe to deal with the consequences. Agathe calls for their son Cornelius, who arrives with his pregnant wife Josefien. They hope to sell off the plantation and return to the Netherlands, but their plans are disrupted when they discover that Jan had a second child named Karel with his loyal servant Siti. Jan decides to leave his entire estate to Karel, who embodies the conflicted identity of being both Dutch and Indonesian.
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As a dual national hailing from Bosnia and the Netherlands, Sendijarević brings a personal perspective to the film. Her previous feature, “Take Me Somewhere Nice”, was a quirky European road movie that premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2019. “Sweet Dreams” retains some of that quirkiness but explores a darker undercurrent, unflinchingly portraying the abuses committed by Jan and his surviving family members.
The film opens with a scene in which Jan humiliates a fieldworker in front of Karel and engages in a sexual relationship with Siti that implies colonial rape. Later, Cornelius attempts to kill Karel to secure the family fortune for himself, driven by his conniving and sexually frustrated wife. In contrast, the Indonesian characters, including laborer Reza, are portrayed as lively, humorous, and rebellious, constantly mocking their overseers. These contrasting portrayals highlight the one-sided nature of the film, offering little redemption for the Dutch characters.
Visually, “Sweet Dreams” is meticulously crafted, employing careful camera setups and detailed set designs. The darkly wooded interior of the family villa serves as a backdrop that enhances the film’s exploration of colonialism’s evils and troubled heritage. Overall, the film contributes to a subgenre of period pieces that confront historic traumas with a mix of horror and fascination, creating a thought-provoking viewing experience.
In conclusion, “Sweet Dreams” exemplifies an emerging trend in arthouse cinema that explores Europe’s colonial history through satirical, surreal, and lyrically cinematic storytelling. Ena Sendijarević skillfully critiques the racism and exploitation of the colonial era while presenting a compelling narrative set in 1900s Dutch East Indies. Though the film has its flaws, it showcases the director’s talent and deep understanding of the period’s troubled heritage. With its meticulous visual execution and thought-provoking themes, “Sweet Dreams” offers an engaging and challenging cinematic experience.
