Roestam Sutan Palindih (Perfected Spelling: Rustam Sutan Palindih) was an Indonesian film director and writer. He was born in Fort de Kock, Dutch East Indies (now Bukittinggi, Indonesia) in 1898. He finished his education in various cities, including Batavia (now Jakarta), Bandung, Padang, and Medan. In the 1920s and 30s Rustam held a variety of jobs, including as the owner of a small shop and a farmer. He eventually became involved with the journalistic and literary industries, working at Balai Pustaka and heading the newspaper Neratja. From 1933 until 1938 he was a member of a native political council, vocally opposing the Dutch colonial presence in the Indies.