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The Act of Killing

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7.7/10 • 669

2012-11-012h 39m

Documentary

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

Filmmakers expose the horrifying mass executions of accused communists in Indonesia and those who are celebrated in their country for perpetrating the crime.

Directors
Joshua Oppenheimer
Editors
Nils Pagh Andersen

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Anwar Congo

    Anwar Congo

    Self

  2. Herman Koto

    Herman Koto

    Self

  3. Syamsul Arifin

    Syamsul Arifin

    Self

  4. Ibrahim Sinik

    Ibrahim Sinik

    Self

  5. Yapto Soerjosoemarno

    Yapto Soerjosoemarno

    Self

  6. Safit Pardede

    Safit Pardede

    Self

  7. Jusuf Kalla

    Jusuf Kalla

    Self

  8. Adi Zulkadry

    Adi Zulkadry

    Self

  9. Haji Anif

    Haji Anif

    Self

Reviews1

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Arrrrrrrach Avatar

Arrrrrrrach

Feb 18, 2017

10/10

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 backstory and footage used he already had more than enough for a documentary film and it seems as though he thought 'I have a better plan' and then made this film instead, in the ultimate quest for knowledge. Beyond words and essential. Note: There is a companion to this called 'The Look of Silence', which is a different type of film altogether and one that sheds much extra light onto the the events of this time and place but from a different perspective and this is also recommended, albeit not as strongly.

Media

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Status
Released
Original Language
Indonesian
Budget
$1,000,000.00
Revenue
$722,714.00
Keywords
corruptionindonesiagenocideindonesian genocidepolitical documentarysocial & cultural documentary