Review of The Act of Killing (2012) by Arseniy V — 19 Oct 2013

What are we going to do when genocide visits a group near us? Where are we going to fit? Truth be told, all things being remotely equal - most of us won't stand in solidarity with the victims. Not if we can help it. Instead, we'll pick our places, our helpful roles. From those roles that there are left for us to pick. As so many have before us. And so many others are doing as we speak. Some such roles will be harder for us to fulfil, but some - will be surprisingly easy. And either way, given the opportunity, most of us will manage. We'll put in our hard days' work and earn our keep and even advance our positions. This film is about just such laborers. Grunts, who found themselves slipping snuggly into those ageless roles of killers and torturers. With inspiration and joy.

This film is very much a unique journey into the heart of human darkness. In many ways. Not least of which, is that both the protagonists and their acts - are still openly celebrated by their countrymen. Leaving them with little but their own thoughts to fear. Few scenes illustrate this point more vividly than the big interview in the middle of the film. Which I'm unlikely to ever forget. Caesar Flickerman's work pales utterly in comparison. Life outdoing fiction ever again.

Ultimately, what I love about this film most, is how much deeper it aims than merely summoning another fruitless outrage choir. It is a character study fist and foremost. An attempt to understand how people who've played these parts so fully - deal. As with most all truth, when it is illuminated THIS vividly by art THIS brilliant - the answers feel both alien and as though they've been in there all along.