Mystics in Bali is a 1981 Indonesian supernatural horror film directed by H. Tjut Djalil and based on the novel “Leák Ngakak” by Putra Mada. The original Indonesian title is “Mystik” or “Leyak”, but the film is also known as “Leák” in some territories and “Balinese Mystic” in Australia.
Plot:
Researching a book that takes her to Bali and the black magic cult of Leák, Cathy meets an evil witch which promises to train her in the dark arts. Tricked, Cathy is turned into a Penanggalan; a flying vampire with internal organs hanging from her neck. It is now up to the local holy men who are then enforced to do battle with the forces of evil…
The film revolves around the Balinese mythology of the leyak (penanggalan) and was originally banned in Indonesia. Nevertheless, pirated copies found their way onto VHS first locally and then internationally.
Mystics in Bali received a DVD release on cult video label Mondo Macabro in 2003 but that sold out. Mondo Macabro released a new edition in 2007 that featured a new HD transfer from the original negative.
Reviews:
” …Mystics in Bali is rife with enough grotesque visuals to make the most jaded viewers shake their heads in disbelief. The sight of Cathy’s head trying to pluck out toothpicks from its body’s neck stump would be enough, but the multiple pig transformations really push the film into pure surrealist territory.” Mondo Digital
“Guys you have got to see this movie. The very first line that I wrote down in the notes I took while watching this movie is “Holy freaking shit” and that line itself best sums up Mystics in Bali.” Gutmunchers
“While some weird movies are 90-minute freakouts devoid of any comprehensible plot, and other weird movies contain startling moments interspersed with long, boring narrative sequences, Mystics in Bali strikes the proper balance between craziness and an interesting (albeit awkwardly told) story.” Cinema Strikes Back
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