Shaman serial killer's story to become film

Shaman serial killer's story to become film

JAKARTA (JP): The infamous North Sumatran shaman being tried
for killing 42 women, Achmad Suraji alias Nasib Kelewang, will
soon get his chance at stardom now that his life and alleged
heinous crimes have been made into a movie.

Antara reported from Medan, North Sumatra, yesterday that the
film will hit cinema houses across the country Friday, when
Indonesia will celebrate Idul Fitri according to government
calendars.

Directed by Eddie S.S. and produced by T. Hamdan Aziz of the
PT Diwangkara Citra Swara Film, the Rp 1 billion Misteri Kebun
Tebu (The Mystery of the Sugarcane Plantation) runs for one hour
and 20 minutes. The shaman allegedly killed and buried his
victims in the Sei Semayang sugarcane field in Deliserdang, North
Sumatra.

The film documents the methods allegedly employed by Amat
Suraji to lure and kill the women who went to him for his help
for various ailments. It will contain a police reconstruction of
the murders and some "additional scenes" using local people, such
as the parents and a husband of one of the victims.

The Ministry of Information's Film Censor Institute has passed
the movie.

In a media conference, accompanied by North Sumatran police
spokesman Lt. Col. Amrin Karim, Hamdan admitted there are some
steamy scenes in the movie.

"Just like in the real story, but they (the sex scenes) are
taken from a distance," Hamdan was quoted by Antara as saying.

He claimed several provinces have requested to screen the
movie.

"I will also develop the case into a 52-episode sinetron
(television series)," Hamdan said.

Starring in the adult movie is Wawan Wanisar, Devi Ivone, Rina
Martini, Linda Latief, Denny Dee, Chandra Sundawa, Lucyana Gress,
Chi Chi and Hendrik Kubu.

The shaman, who claims to be able to perform spiritual healing
and pass on good fortune, told police he killed the women in
black magic rituals. He earlier said he was prepared should he be
sentenced to death. (swe)