Director: H. Tjut Djalil
Year: 1981
Country: Indonesia
Alternate Titles: Laek
Genre: Supernatural
Plot:
Arriving in Indonesia to study black magic, an aspiring writer hears about a powerful witch in her search and begins her training in order to understand it's power only to suddenly come under a series of supernatural inflictions beliving the lessons were a lie and must fight them off.
Review:
This is one of the finest foreign exploitation offerings. Most of it's enjoyment comes from the utterly delirious and bizarre series of sequences presented here which make this one such fun to sit through. From seemingly omniscient tongues that have a mind of their own, bizarre black magic rituals, body transformations and full of trashy low-budget charm, there's a feverish intensity to the scenes here that oftentimes feels like it was simply throwing ideas out simply because they could. The initial meetings of the two out in the woods, where the witch uses the tongue to slurp up blood or write markings on the body to the later scene of the witch engaging in ritualistic dances or the two transforming into animals creates a lasting visual impression here.
The final half is where this one really takes a turn and becomes even more delirious and bizarre. The celebrated part of the witch turning Cathy into a penaggalan, a fanged being with only her head and interior organs dangling beneath her, to go around and attack a random house with a pregnant woman about to give birth is a fantastic sequence. Seeing the transformation is a shock indeed, while the visual of the head between her legs and sucking out the baby suggestively by deflating the stomach creates an incredibly memorable impression. The later moment showing the two transforming in detail into snakes and slithering off into the jungle together has some stellar moments here. The mid-air battle of the fireballs adds some nice action into it all while the idea that the witch can control her with various spells and transformations allows for some demented fun.
Aside from being so bonkers, the film does have another positive quality. This one takes great care towards the supernatural and superstitions of locals, not being content to whip it out in just any scenario but only just to utilize it for effect and impact. Numerous times there's mention of it being warped or dangerous yet the whole film continually reverts back to it's power being about those that wield it. While the two may indeed have the best of intentions about studying black magic, there's always the warped way in which the lessons take that provide the horror which are always brought back to how the witch uses it. Especially prominent is the use of the good magic to combat the witch as that creates a fine distinction between the two forms as seeing how the local priest uses his skillset against the witch during their magic-fueled battle that offers plenty of supernatural thrills in the finale.
Frankly, the cast here isn't all that bad. As the inquisitive Catherine, Ilona Agathe Bastian doesn't do all that bad in the lead. The character may not make too many smart decisions like getting involved with a conniving witch, but the sympathy of her being used against her will creates a nice contrast and brings us back to her side as a pawn in the witch's scheme. Yos Santo plays the local Mahendra, and he has a lot to like. The calm, assured nature of his character creates a grounded counterpoint to the craziness featured within, leaving a nice piece to it's wackiness. They have a nice chemistry together and their scenes are rather innocent and charming. These here allow this one a ton to like, as the only real issue to be had here is the low-budget quality to the special effects which always manage to look low-budget and it can ruin some scenes. Otherwise, there's not much to dislike here.
Overview: **** 1/2/5
Overall, this one still manages to offer up a ton of enjoyable elements. The wackiness and bizarre elements featured within are incredibly engaging and pack in plenty of solid exploitation offerings for those that enjoy it, and the only real issue to be had here is the obvious low-budget quality of the film. That's the only real problem with this one so if that's appealing, dive in; if not then heed caution.
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