Review of The Act of Killing (2012) by Cole J — 17 Mar 2014

The Act of Killing delves deep into the psyche of criminals of humanity and shows us how they cope with their crimes. The film does not attempt to condemn the murderers, but shows us how they live with what they've done, how it haunts them, and how they justify their actions.

Anwar Congo, the central subject, is more willing than the others to slowly drop his shield, and the power of this film comes in seeing him realize before our eyes the horrors he has caused. It shows how documenting or reenacting a situation tears down one's fantastical perspective of that situation, and it's fascinating to watch these people deny reality or see it for the first time.