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The Act of Killing

Documentary · History

The Act of Killing

A story of killers who win and the society they build.

7.7(763) 11/8/2012 1h 57m
DocumentaryHistory

In this chilling and groundbreaking documentary, former Indonesian death squad leaders reenact their real-life mass killings in the style of various film genres. As they recreate their past atrocities, the line between reality and performance blurs, exposing the lingering impact of Indonesia's 1965-66 anti-communist purge and the unsettling psychology of its perpetrators.

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Trailer

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Top Cast

AC

Anwar Congo

Self - Executioner in 1965

HK

Herman Koto

Self - Gangster & Paramilitary Leader

SA

Syamsul Arifin

Self - Governor of North Sumatra

IS

Ibrahim Sinik

Self - Newspaper Publisher

YS

Yapto Soerjosoemarno

Self - Leader of Pancasila Youth

SP

Safit Pardede

Self - Local Paramilitary Leader

JK

Jusuf Kalla

Self - Vice President of Indonesia

AZ

Adi Zulkadry

Self - Fellow Executioner in 1965

Directed by

Joshua Oppenheimer

Production

Reviews

Arrrrrrrach

10/10

2/18/2017

The synopsis is available elsewhere and I have no idea how to review a film like this so here are a few simple lines: I have never seen anything remotely like this and would go as far as to say that it is one of the most honest portrayals of several aspects of the human psyche I have ever experienced in any medium. It's not a pleasant film but I can't give it any less than full marks for its bravery, arrogance and honesty when dealing with an uncomfortable aspect of our species. Joshua Oppenheimer (dir.) understands the social norms of his subjects' environment and also their own egos and greed, shows us so that we also understand and then uses all he has learned to get them to openly reveal all directly to the audience, pretty much by luring them. It's obvious that with the backsto

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