Documentary shows Balinese perspective<\/p>\n
Andrew Charles, Contributor, Denpasar<\/p>\n
Since the early 1970s, and up until the bombing in October last
\nyear, Bali was a major international tourist destination, with
\nover a million tourists arriving each month -- generating a
\nquarter of the country's total foreign exchange earnings.<\/p>\n
Today, Bali appears almost deserted -- unemployment has risen,
\nand despite a small increase in business, the Balinese remain
\nmortified and ashamed that such a horrible act of senseless
\nbrutality could have occurred on their sacred island.<\/p>\n
John Darling, the well known Australian filmmaker and former
\nuniversity lecturer of film studies, is currently producing and
\ndirecting -- in partnership with Padi Films -- an one hour
\ntelevision documentary to show the Balinese point of view of the
\nbombings and aftermath.<\/p>\n
With numerous previously unpublicized stories, this production
\nwill easily rank with Darling's earlier masterpieces such as
\nLempad of Bali, theBali Triptych documentary series,
\nBali Hash and Below the Wind. Despite having been ill for some
\ntime, he felt strongly motivated to produce this documentary on a
\nsubject many people are avoiding.<\/p>\n
In the film, a High Priest explains that Bali is protected by
\na sacred invisible fence, of which the eleven major temples are
\nthe posts. He believes that lack of attention to rituals and
\nspiritual life has allowed foreign evil to enter. This is
\nillustrated by the massive tourist developments, which lie close
\nto the temple's thresholds, and a general preoccupation with
\nmaterial rewards over spiritual good.<\/p>\n
In the context of personal stories, the themes of grieving and
\nhealing are addressed, in contrast with the depiction of
\nunfolding events, arrests, trials and rituals. By focusing on
\ncharacters who are still learning to cope with their shattered
\nlives, the film demonstrates how Hindus, Muslims and Christians,
\nare finding new strength.<\/p>\n
Most Australian media stories about the bombings have
\nconcentrated on Australian survivors and relatives of Australians
\nwho died. This documentary gives an account from a different
\nperspective. Woven throughout The Healing of Bali is the visible
\ncooperation, between and within, the Australian and Indonesian
\ncultures. Although they appear to be disparate, the cultures
\nshare a wealth of history. Old footage of Kuta will illustrate
\nthat the link between Australia and Indonesia has been growing
\nfor over 50 years, and is still strong.<\/p>\n
Bali is a special place for many Australians, who are frequent
\nvisitors to the island. John Darling, now aged 57, has lived in
\nBali for more years of his life than anywhere else in the world.
\nHis long relationship with the Balinese people gives the
\ndocumentary depth and warmth, which is lacking in much of the
\nrecent footage televised. He has known many of his subjects since
\n1969, and his deep understanding of the Balinese culture is an
\ninsight much needed, at a time when tolerance has been stretched
\nto its limit.<\/p>\n
Included in the documentary is the story of the Javanese
\nmother of two boys. She was walking past Paddy's cafe to buy rice
\nfor her husband when the bombs exploded. Six days later, she was
\nevacuated to Royal Perth Hospital with 70 percent burns to her
\nbody. Her fight for recovery is recorded, and the struggle of
\ngrieving widows who lost the support of their taxi-driver
\nhusbands. Audiences will also view the lives of the surviving
\nstaff of Paddy's and the Sari Club.<\/p>\n
Haji Agus Bambang, a car parking attendant in Kuta, and a
\ncelebrated hero, was the first rescuer to enter the flames. In
\nhis interview, he recalls, sometimes close to tears but also with
\nhumor, the horrors of the suffering he saw -- people on fire and
\nwith ghastly injuries. This devout triple-haj-pilgrim cannot
\nunderstand what led his fellow Muslims to commit such inhumane
\nactions. He now leads a campaign to stop radical Muslims from
\nsettling in Bali.<\/p>\n
A very different character, Inspector General Made Pastika,
\nthe enigmatic Balinese police officer who took charge of the
\nbombing investigation, is filmed at the Hindu temple at police
\nheadquarters. As the mosque next door broadcasts the call to
\nprayer (and drowns out his words), he quickly cites this as an
\nexample of the open-mindedness towards Islam practiced by the
\nmajority of Balinese Hindus; a lesson to the world perhaps?<\/p>\n
Interviews with Muslims in Australia and Bali, as well as
\nJava, emphasize that the perpetrators of the atrocities were not
\nrepresentative of all Muslims.<\/p>\n
There is also evidence of the amazing developments in the
\ntreatment of burns by Doctor Fiona Wood at Royal Perth Hospital.
\nJenni Ballantyne, the inventor of the \"Second Skin,\" worn by all
\nthe recovering burns patients is filmed at work in Australia and
\nBali, fitting patients with elasticized suits.<\/p>\n
The documentary will be screened on Australian television in
\nOctober, the date and channel are yet to be announced. It will be
\navailable for purchase in DVD format soon afterward. It is
\ncertain to both shock and inspire audiences.<\/p>",
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