The Act of Killing is a 2012 feature length documentary on DVD.
One of the year's most terrifying true stories.
In this chilling and inventive documentary, executive produced by Werner Herzog (Grizzly Man) and Errol Morris (The Fog of War), the unrepentant former members of Indonesian death squads are challenged to re-enact some of their many murders in the style of the American movies they love.
In the 1960s Anwar Congo was a leader in Indonesia’s pro-regime paramilitary group, Pancasila Youth who, along with his band of dedicated followers, was amongst those who participated in the murder and torture more than a million alleged Communists, ethnic Chinese and intellectuals. Proud of their deeds, which have still gone unpunished, Anwar and his pals are lauded as national heroes, and are delighted when the filmmakers ask them to re-enact these murders for their documentary – in any genre they desire. Initially Anwar and his friends enthusiastically take up the challenge using hired actors, making elaborate sets and costumes, but eventually as the movie violence is played out and reconstructed, Anwar’s conscience begins to stir and feelings of remorse surface.
Special Features:
- Director's Cut Audio Commentary with Joshua Oppenheimer and Werner Herzog
- Theatrical Cut of the feature (115 min)
- Werner Herzog and Errol Morris on The Act of Killing
- Q&A Masterclass with Joshua Oppenheimer
- Theatrical Trailer
Awards
- Nominated Best Documentary Feature Film Asia Pacific Screen Awards 2013
- Won Prize of the Ecumenical Jury Joshua Oppenheimer Berlin International Film Festival 2013
- Won Documentary Film Joshua Oppenheimer Panorama Audience Award Berlin International Film Festival 2013
- Nominated for 5 other awards
- Won 8 other awards
The Act of Killing Reviews
“The Act of Killing is exemplary as a history lesson, a character study and a powerful argument for confronting the past.” The Oregonian
“This feature-length documentary, currently entering national release, may be one of the most horrifying films you'll ever see, and one of the most edifying.” Wall Street Journal
“The Act of Killing is one of the most extraordinary films you’ll ever encounter, not to mention one of the craziest filmmaking concepts anywhere.” Boston Globe
“The resulting film is bizarre to the point of trippiness, yet it’s one of the most lucid portraits of evil I’ve ever seen.” New York Magazine
“The Act of Killing is a horrifying film, a surreal experience that explores the limits of human cruelty. It’s a film that is absolutely hard to watch. It’s also a film that absolutely should be seen.” Arizona Republic