Instruction (2009)

Instruction interrogates the agency of the individual in conditions of war. The work revolves around an unresolved episode of military history: the Dutch intervention in Indonesia’s struggle for independence in 1947-49. Van Oldenborgh asked a group of cadets from the Royal Netherlands Military Academy to read out and discuss a script composed of documents related to the conflict. Performing the script becomes a means to enact diverging historical subject positions, as well as to negotiate positions and responsibilities in the present.

Director: Wendelien van Oldenborgh
Runtime: 90 min
Release Date:
Original Language: en
More Films by Director: Wendelien van Oldenborgh

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Instruction about?
Instruction interrogates the agency of the individual in conditions of war. The work revolves around an unresolved episode of military history: the Dutch intervention in Indonesia’s struggle for independence in 1947-49. Van Oldenborgh asked a group of cadets from the Royal Netherlands Military Academy to read out and discuss a script composed of documents related to the conflict. Performing the script becomes a means to enact diverging historical subject positions, as well as to negotiate positions and responsibilities in the present.
Who directed Instruction?
Instruction was directed by Wendelien van Oldenborgh.
How long is Instruction?
Instruction has a runtime of 1h 30m (90 minutes).