[1] The story is set at the end of the nineteenth century and concerns the cultural gap between East and West, that is between the Netherlands and their colony on Java.

[3] The series was directed by Walter van der Kamp, while set design was handled by Wim Bijmoer and music was done by Tonny Eyk.

Pleuni Touw became the first actress to have a nude scene on Dutch television: it showed her taking a shower while betel spit (some sources say blood) from "invisible mouths" appeared on her body.

[a][1][5][6][7] The scene remained controversial afterwards, and although she gained popular recognition she was passed over for later roles; she later commented that, had she been in the United States, producers would have said "grab that girl, she will be good for the box office"[b] and hire her.

[10] A feature film adaptation of the novel and series, directed by Paul Verhoeven, was announced for a projected 2013 release,[6] but ultimately failed to appear.