While the cap's away the mice come out to play

Filmed apparently with 'Fearophonic' sound system this Indonesian feature film horror tale (released in 1981) tells us that it is a story lifted from legends of the people about a mythological Indonesian revenge ghost - a Sundel Bolong. Popular Indonesian actress Suzanna plays ex-prostitute Alisa who has just married ship's officer Hendarto (Berry - Barry - Prima), who then find's himself roped into a nine month world oceans tour. And while the cap's away the mice come out to play, including sleazy boutique owner and gangster Rudy (Rudy Salam) and Alisa's ex-madam Mami (Ruth Pel(l)upessy), who try and get Alisa back 'on the game'. Director Sisworo Gautama Putra's film is ok technically and not bad visually - the baby nightmare sequence - with the story also featuring a bit of comic relief, unspectacular special effects, a borrowed music soundtrack, a female judge, some Jakarta locations, and a slightly confusing moral tone - lectures on abortion, some praying at the end, and a central couple who met each other as prostitute and client.

The folk horror subgenre features themes of rural folklore, pagan beliefs, and the supernatural or uncanny elements associated with rural or isolated settings. Folk horror often explores the clash between ancient, often pre-Christian traditions and modern society, blurring the line between the natural and the supernatural.

The slasher horror subgenre features a distinctive formula of violence, suspense, and a masked or anonymous killer who systematically stalks and murders victims. Slasher stories are known for their intense and graphic scenes of violence, particularly focused on the act of murder, and they often incorporate elements of mystery and survival.

The supernatural horror subgenre features paranormal and supernatural elements as sources of fear and terror. In supernatural horror stories, the focus is on entities, forces, or occurrences that go beyond the natural world and challenge the laws of reality, including ghosts, demons, witches, curses, haunted houses, possession, and other phenomena that are unexplainable.

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

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The fantasy genre features imaginative and often magical worlds, characters, and events. It explores realms beyond the boundaries of reality, featuring elements such as magic, mythical creatures, supernatural powers, and fantastical settings. These stories can take place in entirely fictional worlds or blend fantastical elements with real-world settings.

Elijah Wood in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

The horror genre features stories that aim to elicit fear, suspense, and a sense of dread in its audience. Horror stories often explore themes related to the unknown, the supernatural, and the macabre, and they frequently evoke strong emotional reactions such as anxiety, terror, and unease.

Sundelbolong is about a Javanese prostitute ghost from Indonesian mythology that is a vengeful spirit looking to haunt some high school students.

H.I.M. Damsyik, Eddy Hansudi, Rukman Herman, Barry Prima, Suzzanna, Ruth Pelupessy, Jack John, Jafar Breel, Diana Suarkom, Rudy Salam, Marlia Hardi, and Eddy Bakar Pare in Sundelbolong (1981)

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Sundelbolong

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