Kuntilanak

Tuty travels to Bandung to visit her uncle who is a cemetery caretaker. A young man accompanies her to show the way but when they arrive at the graveyard, Tuty lets out such a fearsome laugh that the young man runs away in fear. Tuty’s laugh sounds like a kuntilanak (Indonesian version of banshee). Iskak, who also hears the freakish sound, flees at once. The news about kuntilanak spreads. But it is Tuty who has the last laugh. She snares a new boyfriend, a reporter assigned to cover the news.

Directed by Kurnaen Suhardiman, Kuntilanak leans on a strong ensemble — Tien Rostini, Eddy Sud, Iskak — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about comedy titles of 1961.