J.C. Mol: How a Dutch film master was forced to make Japanese propaganda
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J.C. Mol
His name was Jan Cornelis Mol. His passion for filming and capturing the moments human eyes can not see, took him all around the world.
Still: J.C. Mol, Filmer, 22-05-1961, AVRO. Source: Collection Sound & VisionGeluid
Photographic pocket book
This 'Fotografisch zakboek' is one of his publications.Photo: cover 'Fotografisch zakboek', 1935. Source: boekwinkeltjes.nl
In 1927, he set up a film production company called Multifilm in Haarlem. He equipped his studio with highly advanced devices and expanded his film techniques from scientific to medical. He also started to co-operate with universities.
Photo: studio Multifilm Haarlem, author unknown, publication date unknown. Source: Collection Eye
New challenge, new country
In 1939 Mol got a new challenge: the Dutch shipping company Rotterdamsche Lloyd assigned him to make a colour film in the colony Dutch East Indies. He left the Netherlands and went to the new country, together with his wife.
Top: J.C.Mol and his wife leaving the Netherlands, uit: De Tijd, 03-06-1939. Source: Delpher
Bottom: still from Vertrek M.S. Sibajak, 1935, maker unknown. Source: Collection Sound & Vision
Working for the occupier
The Japanese confiscated Multifilm Batavia and changed it into the Japanese national film production company Nippon Eiga Sha.
The Japanese film crew was very impressed by Mol's techniques. Film producer Tokichi Ishimoto, head of the crew, persuaded Mol to work for Nippon Eiga Sha.
Photo: Tokichi Ishimoto, 1936, Museum of Kyoto. Source: Women Film Pioneer Project.
Propaganda films
Nippon Eiga Sha produced the propaganda news series for the Indonesian locals. Apart from the news from the battlefield, there were also educational films to teach people the Japanese language and to improve their standard of living.
Top: still Dai Toa News nr. 56, 1942, Nippon Eiga Sha. Source: Collection Sound & Vision.
Bottom: still Djwawa Baharoe (6), 1943, Djawa Eiga Kosha. Source: Collection Sound & Vision.
