TV Show Commemorating The 2002 Bali Bombing Set For Release

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Stan TV has shared the first trailer for their upcoming mini-series Bali 2002. The series is a dramatization of the terrorist attack that happened in Kuta on the 12th of October 2002. The attack killed 202 people, including 88 Australians, 38 Indonesians, and 23 people from the UK. An additional 209 people were seriously injured. 

The series will start streaming on the 25th of September. The drama has been co-produced by Stan as a Stan Original and with Channel 9. The story showcases the stories of the everyday heroes whose lives were impacted by the events of October 2002.

The cast features some of the genre’s most loved TV actors, including the star of Netflix’s Bridgerton, Claudia Jesse, as well as Australian favorites Rachel Griffiths and Richard Roxburgh. The series is a TV debut for Srisacd Sacdpraseuth and Sri Ayu Jati Kartika. The script and storyline were developed after in-depth consultations with those who were directly involved in the aftermath of the Bali Bombing. 

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The show is released in time for the 20th Anniversary of the Bali Bombings. The tragedy happened in the popular tourist hotspot of Kuta. At around 11 pm on 12th October 2002, three bombs were detonated in different locations in Bali. One outside Sari Club, another outside Paddy’s Bar, and another in front of the American Consulate. The bars were busy and the area is densely populated. The attack was orchestrated by Jeremiah Islamiyah and al-Queda. 

At 11.05 pm a suicide bomber inside Sari Club denoted the explosives that were strapped to his backpack. This caused many of those inside to flee outside, twenty seconds after the initial blast, a second suicide bomber detonated a car bomb from a white Mitsubishi van that was parked outside Paddy’s Irish Bar, opposite Sari Club. The car bomb created a crater one meter deep. 

Two of the bombers died as they denoted the blasts. Other terrorist bombers connected to the case were caught and sentenced to death by firing squad. Imam Samudra, Amrozi Nurhasyim and Huda bin Abdul Haq were executed at Nusakambangan on 8th November 2008. 

The highly emotive series has been announced with a preview trailer. In the video, featuring a slow and melodic version of DJ Sammy’s hit song Heaven, viewers are given a glimpse into the series’ characters.

The trailer starts with a female character walking into the post-bomb chaos, surrounded by burning buildings, cars and injuried tourists stumbling out of the club. The seriousness of the visuals of the attack is balanced with imagery of Bali’s stunning vistas as the trailer hints further at the lives of the characters the series features. 

The story explores the lives of both locals and tourists who were impacted by the attack. In 2002, during the aftermath of the attack locals worked around the clock to rescue and support those who were injured. Australian authorities joined the investigation and other international tourists all helped where they could too.

The series description on the Stan website reads ‘Local Balinese and the mainly Australian and British tourists scramble to rescue the injured and comfort the dying. Australian and Indonesian authorities mobilize to evacuate survivors, identify victims and investigate what took place.’

The site explains the heartfelt element of the storyline and the character’s retelling of events ‘Amidst this chaos, heroes arise from the most unlikely places and cultures unite in the search for healing, justice, and meaning.’

‘Victims struggle to rebuild their broken lives, the Indonesian and Australian security forces face a clear and present danger – they must work together to capture the terrorists before they strike again. But even if justice can be achieved, can it bring true healing and redemption?’

Comments on the trailer are largely positive, though many people have asked whether a dramatization of the attack is necessary, or tasteful. Many people commented how although the attack was now 20 years ago that the pain is raw, and that it still feels too close to home.