Badarawuhi di Desa Penari

This 2024 film "Dancing Village: The Curse Begins (Badarawuhi di Desa Penari)" directed by Kimo Stamboel explores Indonesian supernatural beliefs. It's a slow burn but really tries to implode human emotions through despair and dancing.

It's story originality based on dance traditions with life/death deities and sorcery. The actors really deliver strong performances of young people trying to rationalize logic to what is a curse. It follows a 2022 KKN di Desa Penari" film, some similar ideas sourced in folklore.

The story focuses on two young women (Rathil and Mila) with mothers in terrible state of physical and mental illness. They aren't understanding what's happening, they dealing with the supernatural, things can't be undone.

The film enters through their struggling between earthy and spiritual realms. A realm controlled by a supernatural tormenter and soul taker: Badarawuhi which played beautifully by Aulia Sarah.

In some ways, it reminds one of the 1977 (and 2018 remake) film Suspiria. Modern ballet ancing on those films play with witchcraft and self-destruction, centered on women.

In this case solely based on Indonesian folk dancing, it's surreal scenes are of interest. There's no excessive gore scenes nor jump scares but still deliver a creepy vibe.

The scenes of dancing and sorcery are done well, as the beautiful dance moves become acts of evil. Again, it's slow but delivers toward the story ending. It also marks that Indonesian horror genre can be smart and elusive.

Past 80s/90s Indonesian horror unfortunately has been seen as campy, championed by a mostly cult film audiences. Although the recent reboot of "VHS" found footage enlisted Indonesian director and actors within the horror genre.

This particular film will definitely challenges old tropes on South Asian horror genre. Film's cinematography is excellent and inviting. Mostly set in rural landscapes and sound effects are superb.

I found this movie to be mostly decent for the most part. The story feels complicated, and i didn't know what was going on in this movie. So, the actual plot is this girl going to the village to find answers to her mother mysterious illness and learn about this traditional dance. It's interesting to learn about what the dance is about and how it's important to the village. She also encounters a supernatural called Badarawuhi, who gives an eerie vibe when she shows up and what she's doing here in the first place. The movie itself is pretty slow, with scenes that feel like it is dragging on too long and strange stuff happening throughout. Also, the movie isn't scary at all because nothing too extreme happens in the movie and is easily predictable when it shows up. The climax itself is something different, but it isn't that suspenseful at all. And the movie has a rushed ending.

This is an Indonasian movie and I must say its a very good movie.

I just started watching this movie without knowing much around its baseline or origin country. But as I started watching it catches me.

I liked the theme and direction. Later I searched and find this is based on true story told/experienced by some students of or around same village. I also found this movie is prequel of "KKN di Desa Penari".

Now I will watch that movie as well.

Acting: very good by the central character and good by other supporting characters Direction: really very good

I was not expecting much from this movie but I must say this is a good movie.

Mila and her group of cousins are determined to uncover the truth behind her mother's mysterious illness. Their quest leads them to the enigmatic Dancing Village (Desa Penari), where they unravel a series of secrets, piece by piece, including the existence of the dreaded entity known as Badarawuhi.

The film unfolds as a slow-burn horror, with the second half proving more compelling than the first. While some scenes may feel repetitive, reminiscent of "KKN di Desa Penari," the focus is primarily on the gradual revelation of secrets between Badarawuhi and the village.

Although the second act is commendable for its chilling and eerie horror, certain parts of the movie may drag, yet they are integral to the plot's development. Despite the predominantly visual storytelling, viewers may still find themselves questioning certain aspects of the film.

The technical prowess of the film, particularly in editing and transitioning between scenes, deserves appreciation for its clean execution. The eerie atmosphere effectively complements the movie's theme.

While "KKN di Desa Penari" may be preferred for its realism and tragic elements, some viewers may feel a stronger connection to the characters and their personal development. The lack of a direct link between the two films, despite being a prequel, may leave some audiences wanting more coherence.

Nevertheless, "Badarawuhi Di Desa Penari" offers an engaging weekend watch, particularly for horror enthusiasts.

Main character was so Beautiful but so cruel also, the story line was very detail in this prequel. Makes the audience more familiar with its origins. The timeline is different from the Dancer Village KKN. This time it is set in the 1980s. Where a dancer outwits Badarawuhi, making Nyai very angry.

With different actors and characters from the sequel, this film is fresh and interesting, although some scenes are somewhat similar to the sequel, they don't make you bored and are still fun to watch even with a duration of 122 minutes. At first glance it looks like a repetition but is described in more detail. Moreover, it is supported by the acting of the players, all of whom are good and really get into their characters. A little funny touch from Iqbal Sulaiman creates an ice breaker amidst the horrors of the Badarawuhi terror.

Some of the jumscares are quite surprising. Not only does it show many tense scenes. The emotional drama between mother and child was very touching

Be careful if you have a phobia of snakes, prepare yourself mentally to watch this film.