The Act of Killing

7.7 2012 Joshua Oppenheimer 2h 39m
Documentary History
The Act of Killing

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-

Cast

Anwar Congo Self - Executioner in 1965
Herman Koto Self - Gangster & Paramilitary Leader
Syamsul Arifin Self - Governor of North Sumatra
Ibrahim Sinik Self - Newspaper Publisher
Yapto Soerjosoemarno Self - Leader of Pancasila Youth
Safit Pardede Self - Local Paramilitary Leader
Jusuf Kalla Self - Vice President of Indonesia
Adi Zulkadry Self - Fellow Executioner in 1965

Where to Watch

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Vibes

Curious Emotional Deeply Moving Hidden Gem

Double Feature Pairings

Films that pair perfectly with The Act of Killing

Waltz with Bashir
Waltz with Bashir 2008
Perpetrators confronting their own violence. Two documentaries about the impossibility of living with what you have done. Shoah
Shoah 1985
Documenting mass violence. Two documentary masterpieces about the impossibility of comprehending organized murder.

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