The 5 Haunting Secrets Behind The Instrumental Music Of The G30S/PKI Film

Few cinematic scores in Indonesian history evoke a feeling of dread and tension as immediately as the instrumental music from the 1984 film Pengkhianatan G30S/PKI (The Treason of G30S/PKI). This chilling soundtrack, primarily heard during the infamous kidnapping scenes, has become synonymous with the historical trauma and political narrative of the New Order era. As of December 18, 2025, the music continues to be a subject of deep analysis, not just for its artistic merit, but for its powerful role as a tool of psychological and political conditioning.

The true genius—and controversy—lies in the hands of the composer, Embie C. Noer, who crafted a score that goes beyond mere background noise, transforming the film's narrative into a visceral experience of terror and betrayal. Understanding the specific instrumental pieces and the man behind them is key to unlocking the full cultural and political weight of this monumental, albeit controversial, work of Indonesian cinema.

The Maestro of Musical Terror: Embie C. Noer's Profile

The man responsible for the film’s haunting musical landscape is the esteemed Indonesian musician and composer, Embie C. Noer. His work on the Pengkhianatan G30S/PKI film cemented his place as a master of dramatic scoring, capable of manipulating audience emotions with precision.

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• Full Name: Rumli Chairil Noer
• Date of Birth: July 17, 1955
• Place of Birth: Cirebon, West Java, Indonesia
• Occupation: Musician, Composer, Music Arranger
• Key Relationship: Younger brother of the film’s director, Arifin C. Noer. This familial connection ensured a deeply integrated vision between the film's visuals and its sound design.
• Notable Work (Film): His most famous work remains the score for Pengkhianatan G30S/PKI (1984), a film that won Best Screenplay at the 1984 Indonesian Film Festival (FFI).
• Musical Style: Known for creating intense, often dark or suspenseful atmospheres, utilizing both traditional Indonesian and contemporary orchestral elements.

Embie C. Noer’s collaboration with his brother, director Arifin C. Noer, was pivotal in creating the film’s distinctive, emotionally charged atmosphere. The director explicitly instructed Embie to create music that would instill a sense of dread, a task the composer executed with chilling effectiveness.

1. The Main Theme: An Instrument of Pure Psychological Dread

The instrumental piece most commonly associated with the film is the "Main Theme," a recurring motif that signals impending doom and chaos. Unlike traditional heroic military scores, this theme is characterized by its unsettling, almost off-key quality, designed to amplify the sense of political instability and terror.

The Chilling Role of the Flute (Seruling)

A distinctive element in Embie C. Noer's score is the strategic use of the traditional Indonesian flute, or seruling. This instrument, usually associated with melancholic or peaceful folk music, is employed here to create a high-pitched, wailing sound. The flute’s mournful timbre cuts through the orchestral tension, symbolizing the tragedy and the cries of the victims—the seven slain generals—and their families. This juxtaposition of a traditional, familiar instrument with a horrific narrative is a key technique in the score's unsettling power.

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The 'Symphony of Terror' for the Kidnappings

The music reaches its most famous peak during the scenes depicting the kidnapping and murder of the Army Generals, including General Ahmad Yani, Major General D.I. Panjaitan, and Lieutenant General Suprapto. This specific instrumental sequence is often cited as a "symphony of terror." It employs a heavy use of brass and percussion, combined with dissonant string arrangements, to create a feeling of relentless, suffocating menace. The music doesn't just accompany the action; it drives the audience's fear, functioning as a powerful emotional trigger that solidified the New Order's narrative of the PKI as a ruthless, terrifying force.

2. The Controversial Transformation of 'Genjer-Genjer'

Perhaps the most politically charged aspect of the film's instrumental music is how it treats the folk song "Genjer-genjer." Originally a traditional Banyuwangi folk song, it was later adopted by the Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI) and its affiliated organizations, becoming a symbol of the party's cultural influence.

In the film, Embie C. Noer does not use the song in its original form. Instead, he masterfully integrates the melody's structure and rhythm into a darker, distorted instrumental arrangement, particularly in scenes involving the alleged cruelty of the PKI members.

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• Original Context: "Genjer-genjer" was a simple song about water hyacinths, often associated with the plight of the poor.
• Film's Use: Embie C. Noer transformed it into a chilling, minor-key instrumental motif. This musical manipulation effectively linked the melody—and by extension, the PKI—with the film’s horrific events in the minds of millions of viewers.
• Propaganda Tool: This transformation served as a potent piece of New Order propaganda, musically cementing the idea that the PKI was inherently evil and its cultural products were synonymous with betrayal and violence.

3. Other Significant Instrumental Pieces and Soundtracks

While Embie C. Noer’s original score provides the backbone of the film’s tension, the overall soundtrack is a mosaic of different musical pieces, each serving a distinct historical or emotional purpose. These additions further enhance the film's topical authority and emotional range.

The Military and Nationalist Anthems

To contrast the terror of the communist forces, the film utilizes several well-known nationalist and military songs, often in instrumental or orchestral form, to signify the heroism and sacrifice of the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) and the victims:

• "Maju Tak Gentar" (Advance, Undaunted): A powerful, patriotic song used to underscore scenes of military resolve and the fight against the PKI.
• "Gugur Bunga" (Fallen Flower): This deeply melancholic song, often played instrumentally, is used to mourn the death of the revolutionary heroes, the seven generals. It is a powerful symbol of national loss and sacrifice.

The Unexpected Classical Element

In a surprising twist, one scene features a piece of classical European music. The theme accompanying the death of Major General D.I. Panjaitan is reportedly an instrumental section from "Selig sind die toten" (Blessed are the Dead), a composition by the German composer Johannes Brahms. The use of a solemn, classical requiem adds a universal, dignified weight to the general's martyrdom, elevating the event from a political murder to a profound, tragic sacrifice.

4. The End of a Mandatory Era and the Music's Legacy

For over three decades, the film Pengkhianatan G30S/PKI was mandatory viewing for all Indonesian citizens, broadcast annually on September 30th. This repeated exposure meant that Embie C. Noer’s instrumental score became deeply ingrained in the nation’s collective memory, a sonic representation of a specific historical narrative.

The mandatory screening ended in the post-New Order Reformasi era, but the music’s legacy endures. Its continued relevance is not just historical; it is a case study in how music can be used as a powerful tool for state propaganda. The score is a masterclass in film scoring, using techniques like leitmotifs, dissonance, and strategic instrumentation to achieve a powerful psychological effect, regardless of the political message it carried. Entities like President Suharto, the New Order government, and the TNI all benefited from the emotional weight that this score provided to their version of the 1965 events.

5. The Film's Instrumental Score as a Cultural Entity

Today, the instrumental music of the G30S/PKI film exists as a cultural entity in its own right, separate from the film's political context. It is a recognized symbol of a dark chapter in Indonesian history, often covered and reinterpreted by modern musicians. The intense, memorable quality of the main theme ensures its continued study in film and music schools.

The score’s influence is evident in modern Indonesian horror and thriller films, where composers often draw inspiration from Embie C. Noer’s use of traditional instruments to create a localized sense of terror. The score remains a critical piece of Indonesian cinema history, a powerful reminder of the intersection between art, politics, and power.