The Act of Killing

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

7.7(745)20122h 39m

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.

Director

Joshua Oppenheimer

Budget

$1.0M

Revenue

$0.7M

Where to watch

Free

Rent

Buy

Streaming data by JustWatch

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

Suryono

Self - Anwar's Neighbor

Haji Marzuki

Self - Member of North Sumatra Parliament

Haji Anif

Self - Paramilitary Leader & Businessman

Rahmat Shah

Self - Member of Parliament

Reviews

1 review

Arrrrrrrach

9y ago

10.0

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 bra...