DIRECTOR: Joshua Oppenheimer | Denmark | 2014 | 103min
When Oppenheimer’s astounding The Act Of Killing was released in 2012, it was hailed as the documentary event of the decade, breathtakingly capturing the boastful re-enactment by Indonesian militiamen of the millions of deaths by their hands in 1965. In this equally exceptional, haunting companion piece, Oppenheimer returns, this time to the victims, embodied by humble village optometrist, Adi, whose brother was brutally murdered at the whispered-about Snake River. “Why should I remember, if remembering breaks my heart?” sings one of the killers. Adi watches quietly in the afternoon sunlight, knowing that even if no one is ready to discuss the past, he will keep asking questions, softly, persistently, confronting his brother’s murderers, while fitting them for glasses – improving their eyesight so they can remember.
Awards
Venice FF: FIPRESCI Prize, Berlinale: Peace Award
Festival Appearances
SXSW, CPH:DOX, Göteborg IFF, Venice FF, Berlinale
Screenings at Encounters 2015
CT: Sun 7 8pm Labia | Thu 11 8.30pm CN V&A
Jozi: Mon 8 6.30pm CN Rosebank | Wed 10 6.30pm CN Rosebank | Sat 13 6pm CN Rosebank