Joshua Oppenheimer’s “The Act of Killing” is a deeply disturbing and utterly unique documentary that forces perpetrators of Indonesia’s 1965 mass killings to reenact their crimes in the style of their favorite film genres. The result is both surreal and horrifying, as former death squad leaders casually recreate atrocities with no remorse, blurring the lines between performance and reality.
By giving these men the stage to tell their stories, the film unearths the deep psychological and moral void left by unchecked power and impunity. “The Act of Killing” is not just a historical examination, but a provocative meditation on memory, guilt, and the ways in which societies justify brutality. It’s a haunting, unforgettable exploration of the banality of evil.
