The death of Indonesian actress Suzzanna in 2008 went largely ignored by the western press. Interest in her films had gained a foothold with Pete Tomb’s Mondo Macabro book, which breathlessly told of all the very special treats that Indonesian horror and exploitation films had to offer the adventurous viewer. Described by Tombs as "southeast Asia's reigning horror diva," Suzzanna starred in a series of pictures involving an evil goddess from folklore, "The Snake Woman" or "Snake Queen."
Suzzanna called to mind Imelda Marcos crossed with later-day Elizabeth Taylor, radiating evil and sultry sex appeal. Tragically, she left the world far too soon at the age of 66, after starring in her comeback feature, Hanta Ambulance (2008) shortly before her death. Her many fans were reportedly cheated a final glimpse of their heroine with a funeral that did its best to block public access.
While acting in films as a teenager, the first notable time Suzzanna was introduced to the English speaking world was Queen of Black Magic, also known as Black Magic III, in 1979. The film was retitled Black Magic III in order to associate it with the successful Shaw Brothers’ “Black Magic” series, Hong Kong horror that found a welcome home in grindhouses showing martial arts movies.
Directed by J. Sudjio, Queen of Black Magic opens with the wedding of a village prince. The ceremony is interrupted by mysterious winds and his bride-to-be is beset with horrifying visions. Black magic is to blame, and Suzzanna, who plays the secret commoner concubine of the prince, is singled out, her mother murdered and her house set on fire. Left to die in the jungle, she is befriended by an evil wizard who arms her with incantations and spells to attack her tormentors. A visiting Muslim priest, goody-goody in the extreme (remember, Indonesia is a curiously Islamic nation in the middle of Asia) is impervious to her charms; like in all films of this type, those who use live by black magic die by black magic and those who fight evil with evil all die terrible, protracted deaths.
Queen of Black Magic has silent movie melodrama to spare and some extreme gruesomeness akin to the old Hong Kong school, i.e. cursed people develop bleeding boils and puke up scorpions and maggots. Entertaining on its own terms, it lacks the distinctive "voice" that films from Indonesia had yet to develop, but fans of old-style Hong Kong horror will find plenty to enjoy.
Suzzanna would strike again in Hungry Snake Woman (1982), the most lavish Indonesian genre picture this writer has come across, with wild special effects, elaborate sets and go-for-broke set pieces. The Snake Woman of the title offers her followers wealth and prestige in exchange for human sacrifices. Our ne'er-do-well anti-hero Brian agrees to her terms, which includes the murder of three women concluding with a feast off of their breasts! At this point, Brian affects a pale face, a Dracula cape and vampire fangs and goes about Jakarta biting women on the neck -- and then biting their tits off!
Our first glimpse of the Snake Woman is when a passageway magically appears inside a grotto. Her throne glides through a series of alcoves that light up in different colors, ending when her throne is held aloft in the air on a cushion of billowing smoke. She asks the brash human interlopers, "Why have you interrupted the concentration of our meditations?" As the 'bots would exclaim in "Mystery Science Theater 3000," "this looks like the most boring ride in Disneyland!"
Snake Woman’s glitzy visuals recall the excesses of Hindu art, and a scene where the hero consummates his relationship with the queen on a revolving round bed has all of the odd poetry of Jean Cocteau. The film remains an absolute must-see on the Indonesian terror tour.
For an infinitely darker take on the same material, Suzzanna would repeat her role Snake Queen. In this continuation of the series, Suzzanna plays three roles: the Snake Queen of the title, the worldly second wife of a rich man and a grotesque old crone. This film has a definitely nasty edge to it; this is NOT your father's Snake Queen. As usual, the Lizardly One promises riches and fulfillment beyond her follower's wildest dreams in exchange for human sacrifices.
In one especially gruesome vignette, an unemployed lay about seeks the Queen's services; she bids him to eat the severed hand of a baby as down payment. He rushes home to tell his wife the good news ("Did you get a job?" she hopefully asks) -- when, wait a minute! What's wrong with the baby....?
These strikingly indigenous morality tales offer the viewer a sharp lesson: Work hard, pay your taxes, be a good citizen and you WON'T have to use the services of the Snake Queen!
Another film starring Suzzanna this writer has seen is the other-worldly White Crocodile, a delirious mélange of special effects and set pieces. The chief beastie would raises the level of the similar monster spied in Tobe Hooper’s Eaten Alive (1975) to CGI levels! Unfortunately, the only print I have seen of this particular title was without English subtitles or dub track, so much of the film – which includes scenes Suzzanna snipping off the graying pubic hair of an older gentleman as part of some arcane ritual – remains “lost in translation.”
Along with Barry Prima, Suzzanna offers a friendly, familiar face to brave Westerners taking their plunge into wild and zany Indonesian fare. You’ll laugh, you’ll be amazed, you will be dazzled, but you certainly won’t be bored!
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