Netflix pick for 6/1/15 – ‘The Act of Killing’

“The Act of Killing” is a fascinating documentary about some Indonesian gangsters in Jakarta who were hired in the 1960’s to form death squads, rolling through the country killing anyone and everyone under the guise of rounding up communists, and how these gangsters all these years later are in control of the country and think what they did was the proper thing to do. They agree to participate in making this movie thinking it would be an exultation of their exploits, when in reality it makes them look at their past deeds with an unflinching eye, forcing them to face the horrors they perpetuated in the name of their government overlords.

From my original review of “The Act of Killing:”

“The Act of Killing” is a pretty stunning documentary because of how different it is in terms of allowing the film’s subjects to dictate how the movie actually came out, and how the movie documents its own making. It’s as if Morgan Spurlock decided to make a film about genocidal murderers instead of fast food value meals and San Diego Comic Con and movie funding – it is inventive, original and informative, not only about what happened in Indonesia and how it persists to this day, but also about the nature of people and how great evil can live inside every day folks, folks who can rationalize what they do in the most scary ways, which is really the most terrifying thing of all. It’s not that Anwar Congo is a mustache-twirling, cackling, lusting for blood, openly and obviously evil person, but instead he comes across as a pretty normal dude, who likes to dance and smoke a little weed and get drunk with his buddies and sing songs together, and who just happens to have murdered thousands of people by his own hands and without legal consequence.

The consequences to his soul and psyche, however…now that’s a different story altogether. And “The Act of Killing” helps galvanize those spiritual consequences not only for us but for Anwar as well.

Check out “The Act of Killing” right here on the good ole’ Netflix Instant.