Released last week all over India except in East Punjab and South, MD Pictures’ Dancing Village: The Curse Begins (dubbed from the Indonesian film, Badarawuhi Di Desa Penari; A) is a supernatural horror thriller. Mila (Maudy Effrosina) is instructed to return a mystical bracelet, the Kawaturih, to the dancing village. But when she reaches there with her cousin, Yuda (Jourdy Pranata), and Yuda’s friends, Jito (Moh. Iqbal Sulaiman) and Arya (Ardit Erwandha), they realise that the village elder has passed away while the new guardian, Mbah Buyut (Diding Boneng), is not present. While they await the arrival of Mbah Buyut, strange things happen. Mila is visited by Badarawuhi (Aulia Sarah), a mysterious, mythical being who rules the village. Mila now decides to return the Kawaturih although Mbah Buyut hasn’t arrived. But in doing so, she threatens the village’s safety. Besides, Mila must join a ritual to select the new Dawuh, a cursed soul who will have to dance for the rest of her life.
The story is based on KKN di Desa Penari, written by SimpleMan. The story is so typically Indonesian that it will not be much understood or enjoyed by the Hindi film audience. Lele Laila’s screenplay is average and holds scant appeal for the same reason. Dialogues are ordinary.
Performances range from dull to fair. Aulia Sarah (as Badarawuhi) and Maudy Effrosina (as Mila) do quite well. Jourdy Pranata is okay as Yuda. Moh. Iqbal Sulaiman (as Jito) and Ardit Erwandha (as Arya) provide average support. Diding Boneng is ordinary in the role of Mbah Buyut. Aming is dull as young Mbah Buyut. Claresta Taufan Kusumarina (as Ratih), Dinda Kanyadewi (as Ratih’s mother, Jiyanti), Pipien Putri (as Mbah Putri), Maryam Supraba (as Mila’s mother, Inggri), Bima Sena (as Prabu), Putri Permata (as Sundari), Baiq Vania Estiningtyas Sagita (as Santika), Baiq Nathania Elvaretta Sagita (as young Jiyanti) and Princeza Leticia (as young Inggri) are okay.
Kimo Stamboel’s direction is fair. Ricky Lionardi’s music passes muster. Patrick Tashadian’s camerawork is quite nice. Fachrun Daud’s editing ought to have been sharper. Dubbing is so-so.
On the whole, Dancing Village: The Curse Begins is a poor show for the Hindi film-going audience.