Act of Killing & The Look of Silence - Indonesia genocide

[gun ainm]

How I missed the Act of Killing when it came out in 2012 is beyond me but there's a 'sequel' out now - The Look of Silence - both look compelling if disturbing, and chart the genocide of up to 1 million communists or suspected communists in Indonesia during the 1960s.

The first film gets former executioners to recreate their killings for the camera, the second follows the brother of one of the victims while he confronts those in power at the time (and by all accounts they are largely still in power there which makes this all the more incredible) in an effort to find understanding. Heard this being discussed on Janice Forsyth's radio show yesterday afternoon....so this thread is for bringing these films to the attention of anyone who like me would be interested but hasnt yet seen them but also for comment if you have.

Act of Killing trailer

The Look of Silence trailer

 

[egb_hibs]

I meant to seek the first one out, good reminder. I didn't know about the second either.

 

[1875]

As the bounces resident Orang Indonesia, all I will say is that the personalities in the first film exist all over Indonesia. Corruption is rife, the military and the police still have a big say, "preman" (gangsters - a bastardisation of the word freeman) still control swathes of business and to cap it all fundemental Muslims are now in power in various locations across the archipeligo, an archipeligo with the biggest Muslim population in the world. It is one fucked up country, I love it when I visit.