In the 1960s, Anwar Congo was a leader in Indonesia’s pro-regime paramilitary, the Pancasila Youth. Along with his band of dedicated followers, he was amongst those who participated in the murder and torture more than a million alleged Communists, ethnic Chinese and intellectuals. Proud of their deeds and completely unpunished, Anwar and his pals are delighted when the film’s director ask them to re-enact these murders for their documentary – in any genre they desire. Initially Anwar and his friends enthusiastically take up the challenge using hired actors, making elaborate sets and costumes and even using pyrotechnic, but eventually, as the movie violence is played out and reconstructed, Anwar finally begins to feel unease and remorse.
Philosophy
Probe the philosophical questions raised by some of cinema’s most intriguing films with Showroom Cinema and the University of Sheffield.
Director Joshua Oppenheimer, Christine Cynn
Year 2012
Duration
2h 2m
Language Indonesian with English subtitles