Vincent Verhaag Plays the Antagonist Character Raymond Westerling in the Film 'EMMY', Initially Hesitant

Kapanlagi.com - Actor Vincent Verhaag showcases his acting skills in the latest feature film titled Emmy. In this production by Denny Siregar Production, Vincent takes on a challenging and controversial role. He is cast to portray Raymond Westerling, a Dutch soldier known in history for his brutal actions in Indonesia.

Regarding the character he plays, Vincent explains that Raymond Westerling is a real figure in the history of Indonesia's independence. Westerling was a soldier who returned to Indonesia to fight against the independence fighters. His actions in the past are often associated with war crimes due to his arbitrary decisions.

"Raymond Westerling is indeed a soldier from the Netherlands, and there are also historical accounts, history books in the Netherlands where, as far as I know, Raymond Westerling was one of the soldiers, you could say at that time he was a lieutenant or captain who fought against Indonesia's independence," Vincent said when met in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, Friday (27/3/2026).

"So he returned to Indonesia to fight against the Republicans. And there he can be said to have committed war crimes, as he made decisions on his own to arbitrarily kill people he deemed suspicious," Vincent Verhaag added.

1. Vincent Initially Felt Hesitant

Film Emmy Press Conference (cr:Instagram.com/derrysiregarproduction)

This husband of Jessica Iskandar admitted that he initially felt hesitant when he was first offered the role. There was a mental burden that Vincent felt, especially since he has Dutch heritage from his father and Indonesian from his mother. He did not want this role to merely showcase cruelty without a deeper meaning.

2. Vincent Plays the Character Raymond Westerling

Vincent Verhaag Abroad (cr:Instagram.com/v.verhaag)

"From the story, I was honestly a bit hesitant from the start because, uh, initially I thought, wow, in history, I get to play, uh, Raymond Westerling, where his activities were indeed not good and can be said to be very cruel. It felt like there was a bit of a burden because I am also of Dutch descent. My father is from the Netherlands, my mother is from Indonesia," he said.

3. The Emmy Film Does Not Focus on the Colonial Aspect

The Cast of the Emmy Film (cr:KapanLagi.com/Fikri Alfi Rosyadi)

However, the doubts disappeared after he read the script and understood the vision of the film. It turns out that the Emmy film does not focus on the perspective of the colonizers, but rather highlights the perspective of the victims, which has rarely been exposed in film history. This is what ultimately solidified Vincent's decision to join.

4. There is a Victim's POV in the Emmy Film

The Cast of the Emmy Film at the Press Conference (cr:KapanLagi.com/Fikri Alfi Rosyadi)

"It's just that when the film is told later, how the scenario is, how the flow is, it turns out this film also has a different point of view. This is not about a colonizer coming in and brutally slaughtering, no. This is more about the point of view of the victims. What they feel, what they experience. Well, in my opinion, that really needs to be highlighted," he stated.

5. Vincent's Second Time Playing in a Historical Theme Film

Vincent Verhaag Answers Media Questions at the Emmy Film Press Conference (cr:Instagram.com/v.verhaag)

For Vincent, this is his second experience being involved in a historical-themed film. He feels very interested in projects like this because there is educational value and the revelation of past facts that the public needs to know, especially regarding the fate of war victims.

6. Vincent Likes the Emmy Film

Vincent Verhaag at the Emmy Press Conference (cr:Instagram.com/v.verhaag)

"No. I have done it before and this is the second time. And it is very interesting, I really like it too. Because as I mentioned earlier, we are exposing the stories of the victims that I believe need to be highlighted," concluded Vincent Verhaag.

7. Q&A

Vincent Verhaag's appearance at the Press Conference (cr:Instagram.com/v.verhaag)

Q: Who does Vincent Verhaag portray in the film 'EMMY'?
A: Vincent Verhaag plays the antagonist character Raymond Westerling in the film 'EMMY' produced by Denny Siregar Production.

Q: Why did Vincent Verhaag hesitate to accept the role of Raymond Westerling?
A: Vincent felt hesitant due to the mental burden, considering he has Dutch and Indonesian blood, and did not want this role to only showcase cruelty without deep meaning.

Q: What made Vincent Verhaag finally accept the role of Raymond Westerling?
A: Vincent was convinced to accept the role after reading the script and understanding that the film 'EMMY' highlights the perspective of the victims, not just the colonizers' side.

(kpl/dyn)