Documentary

The Act of Killing

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

In this chilling and groundbreaking documentary, former Indonesian death squad leaders reenact their real-life mass killings in the style of various film genres, from gangster epics to musicals. 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.”

Release Date : 2012-11-01

Language :Indonesian

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Final Cut for RealPiraya FilmNovaya ZemlyaSpring Films

Production Country : DenmarkNorwayUnited KingdomIndonesia

Alternative Titles : The act of killing - Directors CutWatch The Act of Killing: The Director's Cut

Cast

Character Name : Self - Executioner in 1965

Original Name : Anwar Congo

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self - Gangster & Paramilitary Leader

Original Name : Herman Koto

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self - Governor of North Sumatra

Original Name : Syamsul Arifin

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self - Newspaper Publisher

Original Name : Ibrahim Sinik

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self - Leader of Pancasila Youth

Original Name : Yapto Soerjosoemarno

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self - Local Paramilitary Leader

Original Name : Safit Pardede

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self - Vice President of Indonesia

Original Name : Jusuf Kalla

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self - Fellow Executioner in 1965

Original Name : Adi Zulkadry

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self - Anwar's Neighbor

Original Name : Suryono

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self - Member of North Sumatra Parliament

Original Name : Haji Marzuki

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self - Paramilitary Leader & Businessman

Original Name : Haji Anif

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self - Member of Parliament

Original Name : Rahmat Shah

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self - Deputy Minister of Youth & Sport

Original Name : Sakhyan Asmara

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Soaduon Siregar

Gender : Male

Reviews

Arrrrrrrach

@Arrrrrrrach

2021-06-23

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.