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      The Act of Killing

      Released Jul 19, 2013 2h 2m Documentary Biography Crime Drama History War List
      96% Tomatometer 162 Reviews 85% Audience Score 10,000+ Ratings Filmmakers expose the horrifying mass executions of accused communists in Indonesia and those who are celebrated in their country for perpetrating the crime. Read More Read Less

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      Critics Consensus

      Raw, terrifying, and painfully difficult to watch, The Act of Killing offers a haunting testament to the edifying, confrontational power of documentary cinema.

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      Critics Reviews

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      Scott Marks San Diego Reader The Act of Killing is the only 100% original work of cinema to come out this year. Rated: 5/5 Feb 21, 2019 Full Review Dave Calhoun Time Out If Oppenheimer's aim is to question and investigate what life the past has in the present, he has succeeded in a staggeringly original way. Rated: 5/5 Jan 3, 2019 Full Review Larushka Ivan-Zadeh metro.co.uk [An] innovative piece of filmmaking so breathtakingly daring and powerful, it replaces your oxygen with awe. Rated: 5/5 Sep 5, 2017 Full Review Wael Khairy The Cinephile Fix "The Act of Killing” is unquestionably the most innovative piece of documentary filmmaking to come out this decade. Jul 30, 2023 Full Review Vadim Rizov Filmmaker Magazine Joshua Oppenheimer’s elegantly disturbing investigation. Jan 24, 2023 Full Review Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies A potent exposé that unveils one of the darker secrets of our world. Rated: 4/5 Aug 19, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      Siao S This documentary has no graphic violence, but the perpetrators' nonchalant attitude towards their actions is even more chilling. After watching this documentary, I will think twice before revisit Java Island. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/11/23 Full Review Georgan G This horrific documentary tricked bad guys into filming their confessions. These circa 1965 mass murders had clearly been ok with their government, as no one was ever punished. Also clear that western countries were being complicit. Sad history presented as a movie within a movie. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Manny P It's idiotic in the absurd ? Ok , there is some heinous stuff going on, but the absurdity of the delivery is questionable ? Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 07/30/22 Full Review Audience Member One of the most important films of our generation Exposing the effects of Hollywood and media propaganda to inject fear into the masses and ultimately control them. A must watch Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Andrea W "War crimes are defined by the winners. I'm a winner so I can make my own definition." There is so much to say about this film... I cried when it was done, but the tears did not come easily. the subject matter is so heavy.. Anwar and Jusuf are so flippant in their descriptions of atrocities, its disturbing. This film is shocking and sickening. It burdens me in an indescribable way - I am appalled that people like this exist in the world. I am not naiive to the horrors people face everyday, but the way this 'Communist cleansing' was gone about, and the incredibly unique approach to storytelling the directors chose made everything so much more jarring. As a society, we know that monsters do exist in the world - they are just people, but this is a harrowing depiction of the depths of depravity that humanity can sink to when left unchecked. If this film doesn't entice some kind of deep sadness or disgust in a viewer, I don't know what will. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/21/22 Full Review Audience Member Perhaps the most profound realisation ever captured on film. Even a monster cannot escape his morality. A very dark, and very recent history that is retold and re-enacted first-hand by its butchers, which still contains the faintest glimmer of hope. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Movie Info

      Synopsis Filmmakers expose the horrifying mass executions of accused communists in Indonesia and those who are celebrated in their country for perpetrating the crime.
      Director
      Joshua Oppenheimer
      Producer
      Werner Herzog, Errol Morris
      Distributor
      Drafthouse Films
      Production Co
      Novaya Zemlya, Final Cut for Real, Piraya Film A/S, Spring Films
      Genre
      Documentary, Biography, Crime, Drama, History, War
      Original Language
      Indonesian
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Jul 19, 2013, Limited
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Aug 10, 2016
      Box Office (Gross USA)
      $484.2K
      Runtime
      2h 2m
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