Reviews
Overview
Bringing offerings of rice, flowers, and woven coconut leaves, clients visit Jero in her household shrine to determine the cause of their son's death. Jero lights an incense brazier, sprinkles holy water, and recites mantras as preliminaries to trance. Several ancestors and finally the young son speak through her voice, revealing the nature of his premature death (witchcraft) and his wishes for cremation. In contrast to other films about Balinese trance which focus on spectacular, community performances, this film provides an intimate view of a fascinating process of communication between Jero, the spirits, and her clients who are at one point moved to tears. (der.org)
Other films by Patsy Asch
A Celebration of Origins
1992
Releasing the Spirits: A Village Cremation in Bali
1991
Spear and Sword - A Payment of Bridewealth on the Island of Roti, Eastern Indonesia
1988
The Medium is the Masseuse: A Balinese Massage with Jero Tapakan
1983
