The Medium is the Masseuse A Balinese Massage with Jero Tapakan

Unlike many spirit mediums Jero Tapakan practices as a masseuse once every three days when possession is not auspicious This film focuses on Jeros treatment of Ida Bagus a member of the nobility from a neighboring town Jero has been treating her client for sterility and seizures She begins work this day with religious preparations and the assembling of traditional medicines Treatment includes a thorough massage administration of eyedrops an infusion and a special paste for the chest The dialogue which is subtitled includes a detailed discussion between anthropologist Linda Connor Ida Bagus and Jero about the nature and treatment of the illness as well as informal banter between Jero her other patients and people in her houseyard In an interview Ida Bagus and his wife speak about the tenyear history of his illness and a variety of diagnoses