Review of The Act of Killing (2012) by Reece L — 09 May 2015
The fact that this documentary exists at all is a miracle, its subjects unbelievably open about the acts of genocide they carried out against their own people and too intellectually limited to contextualize their actions (until they're forced to; the final scene involving this idea is jaw-dropping).
The focus on these military dictators allows for discussion in regards to the capabilities of human cruelty, but the reenactments take the criticism to a place of self-reflexivity, a comment on the nature of filmmaking as a means of truth/falsity and the disturbing influence of western culture on political systems abroad.
The film is, essentially, a non-stop barrage of powerful imagery; it's a once in a lifetime experience for a filmgoer and a vital piece of truth everyone should see.
This review of The Act of Killing (2012) was written by Reece L on 09 May 2015.
The Act of Killing has generally received very positive reviews.
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