The Act of Killing

Friday 28th February 3:30 PM - Theatre By The Lake
The Act of Killing
Director:Joshua Oppenheimer
Cert:15 Year: 2012 Length:115mins
Country:Denmark Language:Indonesian/English
The Act of Killing boasts Werner Herzog as an Executive Producer and reflects on Indonesia's troubled past, when death squads took part in an anti-communist purge. The film brings together some of the leaders of those death squads to speak about their actions and recreate events in the style of Hollywood movies.

A bizarre concept? Maybe, but "the scenes of casual reminiscing by these men, are quite emotionally draining to watch and hear play out." (Markus Robinson IMDB) He goes on to say

"We (as audience members) maintain hope that the subjects (the former death squad leaders) will undergo a change of heart and see the errors in their ways; even though this 'hope' is a candle which becomes dimmer as the documentary nears its finale."

Thanks to Dogwoof

Critics

“ Whatever you call it, The Act of Killing is a must-see.”

Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

“It is a gut-churning film: and a radical dive into history, grabbing the past in a way a conventional documentary would not.”

Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

“This movie is essential.”

Tim Robey, Daily Telegraph

Score

66.07%

Trailer

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All programme and film details are correct at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.