Bali 2002 is the latest Stan original title. Starring Australian TV and film favourites, along with some outstanding newcomers. Rachel Griffiths as Fiona Wood, Richard Roxburgh as Graham Ashton and Sean Keenan as Jason McCartney are all familiar faces to Australian audiences.
The four-part drama revolves around the 2002 Bali bombings, dropping on 25 September 2022. I finished it in one and a half sittings. So fast! Such an easy, compelling watch.
This was a HUGE event in Australian/Indonesian relations. I remember the initial bombs, just not all the attacks that followed.
Sri Ayu Jati Kartika as Ni-Luh Erniati is 100% the standout performer. Taken from next month's Ubud writers festival, Ni Luh Erniati is the wife of I Gede Badrawan, one of the victims of the first Bali Bombing, who works as a head waiter at the Sari Club Café.
She lost her husband when her children were only 9 and 1.5 years old. In the midst of loss, she must continue to take care of her two children. She has also sincerely forgiven the perpetrators, and now she often becomes a speaker to spread kindness.
Her story was equally heartbreaking and inspiring. To be honest she stole EVERY scene she was in.
The cast also includes, Claudia Jessie as Polly Miller, Ewen Leslie, Saskia Archer as Hanabeth Luke, Maleeka Gasbarri, Gerwin Widjaja and many more in this large miniseries ensemble.
Is it too soon for a drama about such a massive tragedy? I am not sure as I personally wasn't impacted, nor were any of my family or friends, however the ending is touching. The explosions repeated across the multiple episodes was a bit much. We all know their were bombs in the clubs.
Bali is one of my all time favourite places to visit. The people are beautiful, the beaches, the food. It's a vibe. However in 2022, it was heartbreaking. For locals and tourists alike.
Australia and Indonesia are such close neighbours are relations are totally important. This was one of Stan's best works, however I can see how some people found this a bit insensitive.
If you enjoy Australian productions, this is a good one (way better than Savage River, only got through one episode) that is a totally easy binge.
It streams on Stan right now.
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