Cigarette Girl is a new Netflix series that tells the story of a young woman who dreams of creating new flavors of kretek, the Indonesian clove-flavored cigarettes. The series is set in two time periods: the 1960s when Indonesia was undergoing political and social turmoil, and the early 2000s, when a dying Kretek mogul asks his son to find his long-lost love. The series is based on a novel by Ratih Kumala, who also co-wrote the screenplay. But how much of the series is inspired by real events and people? Let’s find out.
The Novel
The novel Cigarette Girl (originally titled Gadis Kretek) was published in 2012 by Ratih Kumala, an Indonesian writer and journalist. The novel is a historical fiction that explores the history and culture of Indonesia through the lens of the kretek industry, which is one of the largest and most influential businesses in the country. The novel follows the lives of three generations of kretek makers, from the colonial era to the present day. The novel also incorporates elements of romance, mystery, and drama, as it depicts the love story of Dasiyah, a talented kretek maker, and Raja, a loyal employee, who are separated by fate and politics.
The novel was well-received by critics and readers, who praised its rich and detailed portrayal of Indonesia’s past and present, as well as its strong and complex female characters. The novel also won several awards, including the Khatulistiwa Literary Award, the most prestigious literary prize in Indonesia.
The Series
The series Cigarette Girl is an adaptation of the novel by Ratih Kumala, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Tanya Yuson and Kanya K. Priyanti. The series is directed by Kamila Andini and Ifa Isfansyah, two acclaimed Indonesian filmmakers who have worked on various genres and formats. The series stars Dian Sastrowardoyo, Ario Bayu, Putri Marino, and Arya Saloka, among other talented actors.
The series focuses on the 1960s and the early 2000s segments of the novel, as it tells the story of Raja, a dying kretek mogul, who asks his son Lebas to find his long-lost lover, Jeng Yah. Lebas then meets Arum, a doctor who is intrigued by Lebas’ photo of her mother Rukayah, and Jeng Yah, who turns out to be Rukayah’s sister Dasiyah. Through letters and testimonies, they learn about the history of Dasiyah and Raja, who fell in love in the 1960s, when Dasiyah was a young and ambitious kretek maker, who faced many challenges and obstacles in her career and personal life.
The series was released on Netflix on November 2, 2023, after having its world premiere at the 28th Busan International Film Festival, where three of the five episodes were screened. The series has received positive reviews from critics and audiences, who praised its production values, performances, and storytelling. The series has also been praised for its authentic and nuanced depiction of Indonesia’s history and culture, as well as its feminist and progressive themes.
The Reality of Cigarette Girl
While the series Cigarette Girl is not based on a true story, it is inspired by the reality of Indonesia’s history and society, especially in relation to the kretek industry. Kretek is a type of cigarette that is made with a blend of tobacco, cloves, and other spices, which gives it a distinctive aroma and flavor. Kretek is a symbol of Indonesia’s identity and heritage, as it was invented and developed by Indonesians, and has been consumed by millions of people for over a century.
The history of kretek is intertwined with the history of Indonesia, as it reflects the political and social changes that the country has undergone. The origin of kretek dates back to the late 19th century, when a man named Haji Jamhari, who suffered from asthma, discovered that smoking cloves could ease his symptoms. He then experimented with mixing cloves and tobacco and created the first kretek. He then sold his kretek to his neighbors and friends, and soon his product became popular and spread across the country.
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The kretek industry grew and flourished in the early 20th century when Indonesia was still under the colonial rule of the Dutch. Many kretek makers were nationalists who supported the independence movement and used their profits to fund the struggle. Some of the most famous kretek brands, such as Djarum, Gudang Garam, and Sampoerna, were founded by patriotic entrepreneurs who wanted to create a national product that could compete with foreign cigarettes. The kretek industry also provided employment and income for millions of Indonesians, especially the farmers who grew the tobacco and cloves, and the workers who rolled the cigarettes by hand.
The kretek industry faced many challenges and crises in the mid-20th century when Indonesia gained its independence and experienced political and social turmoil. The kretek industry was affected by the policies and regulations of the different governments that ruled Indonesia, such as the Sukarno era, the Suharto era, and the Reformasi era. The kretek industry also had to deal with competition from international tobacco companies, who entered the Indonesian market with their cheaper and mass-produced cigarettes. The kretek industry also had to cope with the health and environmental issues that arose from the consumption and production of kretek, such as the high rates of smoking-related diseases, the deforestation of the clove plantations, and the pollution of the air and water.
The kretek industry has survived and adapted to the changing times and remains a vital and influential part of Indonesia’s economy and culture. The kretek industry has diversified and innovated its products, such as by introducing machine-made kretek, flavored kretek, and low-tar kretek. The kretek industry has also expanded and globalized its market, by exporting its products to other countries, and by collaborating with other tobacco companies. The kretek industry has also contributed to the development and welfare of Indonesia, by paying taxes, creating jobs, supporting education, and sponsoring sports and arts.
The kretek industry is not only a business, but also a tradition and a lifestyle, that has shaped and been shaped by Indonesia’s history and society. The kretek industry is a source of pride and identity for many Indonesians, who regard kretek as a national treasure and a cultural heritage. The Kretek industry is also a source of inspiration and creativity for many Indonesians, who have expressed their art and stories through Kretek, such as in the novel and the series Cigarette Girl.
Cigarette Girl is a series that tells the story of a young woman who wants to make new flavors of kretek, the Indonesian clove-flavored cigarettes. The series is based on a novel by Ratih Kumala, who also co-wrote the screenplay.
The series is not based on a true story, but it is inspired by the reality of Indonesia’s history and society, especially in relation to the kretek industry. The series is a captivating and informative watch, that showcases the beauty and diversity of Indonesia’s culture and heritage.
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