The Act of Killing

Story

Synopsis

In this chilling and groundbreaking documentary, former Indonesian death squad leaders reenact their real-life mass killings in the style of various film genres. As they recreate their past atrocities, the line between reality and performance blurs, exposing the lingering impact of Indonesia's 1965-66 anti-communist purge and the unsettling psychology of its perpetrators.

Director

Joshua Oppenheimer

Language

Danish

Country

Denmark, United Kingdom, Indonesia, Norway

Release date

1 November 2012

Budget

$1,000,000

Box office

$722,714

Ensemble

Cast

• Anwar Congo

  Self - Executioner in 1965

• Herman Koto

  Self - Gangster & Paramilitary Leader

• Syamsul Arifin

  Self - Governor of North Sumatra

• Ibrahim Sinik

  Self - Newspaper Publisher

• Yapto Soerjosoemarno

  Self - Leader of Pancasila Youth

• Safit Pardede

  Self - Local Paramilitary Leader

• Jusuf Kalla

  Self - Vice President of Indonesia

• Adi Zulkadry

  Self - Fellow Executioner in 1965

• Suryono

  Self - Anwar's Neighbor

• Haji Marzuki

  Self - Member of North Sumatra Parliament

• Haji Anif

  Self - Paramilitary Leader & Businessman

• Rahmat Shah

  Self - Member of Parliament