Dunc Coleman

A note from the Writer:

HI IM JEFF. I BEGAN RESEARCHING AND WRITING THIS PROJECT FOUR YEARS AGO.

I HAVE FOUND THE UNIQUE SPIRITUALITY AND POPULAR USE OF MAGIC PRACTICES IN BALI'S RICH AND UNIQUE CULTURE, TO BE BOTH AN INTERESTING AND FASCINATING SUBJECT.

SET AMID THE LUSHNESS OF A TROPICAL PARADISE, THE CEREMONIES, PRAYERS AND OFFERINGS TO GODS AND DEMONS ALIKE, FLOURISHES IN SPITE OF THE INVASION OF RAPID GROWTH TOURISM.

THE COMBINATION OF HEAT AND ANONYMITY ARE A POWEFRUL APHRODISIAC. SEX IS FOR SALE EVERYWHERE IN THE TOURIST MECCAS OF BALI. IT WHISPERS FROM EVERY CORNER, VIBRATING FROM THE BASS OF THE SPEAKERS THAT PUMP MUSIC FROM THE BARS AND DISCOS, THE FLASH OF A FLIRTATIOUS EYE OR THE TURN OF A HIP. THE GIRLS ARE EXOTIC, BEAUTIFUL AND WELL PRACTICED IN THE DARK ART OF MAGIC AND MANIPULATION.

IT IS OUR INTENTION TO PRESENT A WELL BALANCED AND POLISHED DOCUMENTARY FILM, PORTRAYING THE USE OF INDIGENOUS PRACTICES AND BLACK MAGIC AMONGST THE SEX WORKERS OF BALI, WHO FLOCK HERE IN THEIR THOUSANDS FROM ALL PARTS OF INDONESIA TO SERVICE THE 6 MILLION TOURISTS THAT ARRIVE EVERY YEAR.

WE NOW HAVE A GOOD TEAM OF LIKE MINDED PEOPLE ON BOARD WITH TODD, DUNC AND MADE, AND HAVE RECOMMENCED WORK ON THE DOCUMENTARY.

WE ARE ASKING YOU TO HELP US WITH THE NECESSARY FUNDING REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THIS PROJECT.

THANK YOU.

JEFFREE PLEASURE.

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From the Editor and Co-Producer, Dunc Coleman:

After two successful filming excursions that have broadened the scope of this intriguing story, a third and final filming period is required to bring the documentary to completion.The Voodoo Dolls doco crew have recently gathered interviews with University professors, Balinese Healers, High Priests, and lay folk alike, about the history and culture of Bali and the prevalence of Black Magic. We now need to go in search of the illusive and mysterious shamans who ply this trade and service its willing cliental. It takes time to seek out these mysterious characters and find those that are willing to talk on camera or at least share their knowledge. An independent Australian university study conducted in 2005 detailed the lives and work of these magic men from a certain town in East Java, where in 1998 some 200 of these magicians were summarily executed over a period of 12 months. It is reported that these magic men were the 'dukun setani' (satanic shamans). To this day the perpetrators of the murders remain unknown and at large.

When I was first asked me to join the doco project as Editor my initial response a resounding, “You bet I'm in!”. An expose from the underbelly of the tourist mecca of Indonesia coupled with the astounding culture and environment that is Bali, immediately presented a creative challenge.

The black magic practices of the local sex workers was a new story I hadn't come across before in my research about the paranormal in Asia. Made and Jeff had already gathered several interviews and mapped out a story just waiting to be told.

These magic practices of the sex workers ranges from basic traditional herbalism through to fully blown and very involved black magic rituals. We have learnt that there is a range of traditional herbal remedies and applications that can be classified as simply traditional womens' and mens' health alternatives. e.g. Jamu Madura used for strengthening the vaginal muscles for women, or a mens bamboo treatment used for lengthening the penis. Herbal products readily available yet sold hush hush and under the counter. Then is just starts to get weird. The dukun (shaman) can imbue certain makeup products with magic power, a special eyeshadow or lipstick, etc. Or the use of Susuk, a means of having the dukun apply with a needle tiny gold pieces or even diamonds into the skin of the woman, to make her more beautiful to a prospective partner. Magic is not exclusively used by sex workers of course, it is used widely across the social spectrum.

It is our hope that the Voodoo Dolls documentary is just the first of several fascinating stories from our creative team in this culturally rich and dynamic region.

Your supportive contributions will pay for: Airfares, visas, permits, accommodation, in-country transportation, Interpreters, wages for the several locals that are our guides and assistants when we are in Indonesia, production equipment if needed, Website presence and maintenance, post-production, DVD production.

Your contribution to this project will help us realize the proposed final filming in September - November 2012 and the post production and DVD production of the Voodoo Dolls documentary.

Thank you for your interest and support.

Dunc Coleman