You are viewing a film from our
2014 Festival programme.
The Act of Killing
Friday 28th February 3:30 PM - Theatre By The Lake
Director:Joshua Oppenheimer
Cert:15 Year: 2012 Length:115mins
Country:Denmark Language:Indonesian/English
The Act of Killing boasts Werner Herzog as an Executive Producer and reflects on Indonesia's troubled past, when death squads took part in an anti-communist purge. The film brings together some of the leaders of those death squads to speak about their actions and recreate events in the style of Hollywood movies.
A bizarre concept? Maybe, but "the scenes of casual reminiscing by these men, are quite emotionally draining to watch and hear play out." (Markus Robinson IMDB) He goes on to say
"We (as audience members) maintain hope that the subjects (the former death squad leaders) will undergo a change of heart and see the errors in their ways; even though this 'hope' is a candle which becomes dimmer as the documentary nears its finale."
Thanks to Dogwoof
Critics
“ Whatever you call it, The Act of Killing is a must-see.”
“It is a gut-churning film: and a radical dive into history, grabbing the past in a way a conventional documentary would not.”
“This movie is essential.”
Trailer
Keswick Film Festival is supported by Film Hub North with National Lottery funding on behalf of the BFI Film Audience Network.
All programme and film details are correct at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.