‘Dancing Village: The Curse Begins’ Exclusive Clip: A Bloody Warning

Dancing Village

Director Kimo Stamboel, frequent collaborator with Timo Tjahjanto, is back with his latest Indonesian chiller. This time, he’s tackling one of Indonesia’s most popular titles with a prequel slash spin-off titled Dancing Village: The Curse Begins. The first film, KKN DI DESA PENARI (or Dancing Village), was released in 2022 and quickly became the highest-grossing Indonesian film in the country’s history.

In Dancing Village: The Curse Begins:

A shaman instructs Mila to return a mystical bracelet, the Kawaturih, to the “Dancing Village,” a remote site on the easternmost tip of Java Island. Joined by her cousin, Yuda, and his friends Jito and Arya, Mila arrives on the island only to discover that the village elder has passed away, and that the new guardian, Mbah Buyut, isn’t present. Various strange and eerie events occur while awaiting Mbah Buyut’s return, including Mila being visited by Badarawuhi, a mysterious, mythical being who rules the village. When she decides to return to the Kawaturih without the help of Mgah Buyut, Mila threatens the village’s safety, and she must join a ritual to select the new “Dawuh,” a cursed soul forced to dance for the rest of her life.  

Stamboel is no stranger to horror, directing films such as the 2019 remake of The Queen of Black Magic which is now streaming on Shudder. While Dancing Village: The Curse Begins is a bit more restrained than his previous work due to a PG-13 rating, Stamboel still refuses to pull any punches when it comes to dread and downright freaky imagery.

Writer Lele Laila returns from the first film to pen the prequel’s script. Dancing Village: The Curse Begins is also the first film made for IMAX produced in Southeast Asi

Aulia Sarah, Maudy Effrosina, Jourdy Pranata, Moh. Iqbal Sulaiman, Ardit Erwandha, Claresta Taufan, Diding Boneng, Aming Sugandhi, Dinda Kanyadewi, Pipien Putri, Maryam Supraba, Bimasena, Putri Permata, Baiq Vania Estiningtyas Sagita, and Baiq Nathania Elvaretta star in the film.

Dancing Village: The Curse Begins is out now in select theaters.

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