Australians has always had a strong connection to Bali: a parasitic one, some might claim, with countless Aussie tourists considering the Indonesian province their personal holiday paradise. All that changed in 2002, when the tourist town of Kuta was blown apart by three bombs, killing 202 people and injuring a further 209.
Now, Stan and Channel 9 have collaborated on an inspiring drama fictionalising the events of that terrorist attack, with an international cast of recognisable Aussie talent and fresh newcomers. Bali 2002 premieres on Stan this September 25, unfolding a tragic true story over four hour-long episodes.
Claudia Jessie leads the series as British tourist Polly, seen wandering shellshocked through the lavishly recreated disaster zone in the trailer below. Commemorating the 20th anniversary of the bombings, Bali 2002 also stars Rachel Griffiths as a burns specialist doc, Richard Roxburgh as an AFP commander, and Sean Keenan as injured AFL star Jason McCartney.
A pivotal factor in the series’ success will be its acknowledgement of the traumatised locals who nevertheless gave their all to protect as many lives as possible. The international cast includes Srisacd Sacdpraseuth, Sri Ayu Jati Kartika, Ewen Leslie, Elizabeth Cullen, Arka Das, William Lodder, and Anthony Wong, a few of whom have appeared in previous Stan original productions like The Gloaming and the upcoming The Portable Door.
“Amidst this chaos”, Stan’s official description reads, “heroes arose from the most unlikely places and people united in the search for healing, justice and meaning.”
The series has admirably and necessarily been developed in consultation with those impacted by the tragedy, including Balinese writer, actor and musician Ketut Yuliarsa. It might be painful to relive onscreen, but through Bali 2002, we’ll get a new and diverse perspective on the events of the deadly bombings.
