The Act of Killing

The video presentation of "The Act of Killing" on Blu-ray, released by Drafthouse/Cinedigm, reflects a monumental effort to preserve the integrity and impact of the source material despite its technically diverse origins. Filmed over several years across Indonesia with a variety of small digital cameras, the footage varied widely in quality, from professionally lit re-enactments to less controlled interview settings. This variability presented a significant challenge for the digital colorist, who has commendably unified these disparate elements into a coherent visual experience. The 1080p, AVC-encoded transfers for both the theatrical and director's cuts offer impressively detailed images, boasting solid blacks, natural skin tones, and a dynamic color range that highlights the visual contrasts within the film. While certain scenes suffer from blown-out details due to source-based overbrightness and video noise is a recurring issue reflecting the limitations of the original equipment, these imperfections do not significantly detract from the overall quality of the presentation.

Alamo Drafthouse's handling of the Blu-ray transfer demonstrates a commendable commitment to quality, ensuring an average bitrate of nearly 30 Mbps that respects the film's original texture without succumbing to unnecessary digital compression. Such fidelity allows viewers to appreciate both the gritty reality captured by the filmmakers and the surreal vividness of the re-enacted scenes. The attention to detail is particularly apparent in close-up shots where every wrinkle and scar of the actors' faces tells a story, and in the richer textures of the military uniforms during re-enactments, which contrast sharply with the more straightforward interviews conducted in various settings.

Despite the challenges posed by varying equipment quality and filming conditions, "The Act of Killing" Blu-ray provides an exemplary video presentation. The natural colors, deep blacks, and striking detail respect the filmmaker's vision and convey the powerful message of the documentary with an intensity that is undiminished by technical limitations. The choice to maintain a high bitrate for both versions of the film ensures that even scenes with potentially distracting video noise maintain their immersive quality, making this Blu-ray release a remarkable technical achievement given the diverse and challenging nature of the source materials.

The Act of Killing" delivers a striking auditory experience through its lossless DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack, primarily in Indonesian but accompanied by non-switchable English subtitles, lacking other language options. While not designed as an immersive surround sound spectacle, the film's audio mix showcases a sophisticated approach to soundscaping. Director Joshua Oppenheimer meticulously selects moments to introduce or withdraw ambient sounds, creating impactful silence or highlighting selective audio elements for dramatic emphasis. This technique is exemplified during the harrowing village massacre re-enactment where a scene, potentially chaotic with noise, gradually silences to isolate the haunting sound of breathing, presumed to be Anwar's. Such deliberate sound editing weaves through the documentary, becoming particularly noticeable at transitional moments.

In terms of its audio orientation, the film maintains a front-heavy setup typical of the documentary genre, with the surround channels lightly supporting particular audio elements, notably the musical contributions. The distinct yet oddly fitting "Theme for The Act of Killing" by Karsten Fundal, alongside Anwar’s eccentric choice for his film's musical segment, leverages the 5.1 channels to envelop the audience occasionally. The documentary’s dialogue remains impeccably clear throughout, free from any distortion or background noise interference, ensuring a seamless narrative flow.

Furthermore, Oppenheimer’s decision to focus on singular sounds allows for a deeper exploration of the violence depicted on screen, later juxtaposing these moments with the resuming bustle of city life and natural sounds. The soundtrack itself, bustling with quirky and unsettling musical selections, plays a critical role in shaping the viewer's emotional response. It adeptly employs the rear speakers periodically, enhancing certain scenes beyond their visual impact. Overall, "The Act of Killing" presents a meticulously crafted audio landscape that significantly contributes to its unnerving and profound storytelling.

The Blu-ray extras of "The Act of Killing" provide a rich, in-depth exploration of the film's production, historical context, and its aftermath, delivering a must-watch experience for viewers interested in the complexities of storytelling and real-world violence. The highlight is the detailed audio commentary by Director Joshua Oppenheimer and Executive Producer Werner Herzog, offering fascinating insights into the film’s creation and the ethical dilemmas faced during production. Equally compelling is the interview on Democracy Now with Oppenheimer, where he discusses the initial contact with the killers and the chilling reality behind the re-enactments. The VICE segment featuring Herzog and Errol Morris delves into what sets this documentary apart, providing further critical analysis. Deleted scenes add depth and nuance, showing provocative content that didn’t make the final cut, illustrating the vast scope of the project. Additionally, the booklet reprints Errol Morris' insightful essay, linking the film’s themes to broader historical events.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary with Director Joshua Oppenheimer and Executive Producer Werner Herzog (director's cut): An engaging discussion providing a wealth of information on the film's production.
• Interview with Joshua Oppenheimer on Democracy Now: Offers historical context and personal experiences from filming.
• VICE Presents Werner Herzog and Errol Morris on THE ACT OF KILLING: Insights into the film's unique position in documentary filmmaking.
• Deleted Scenes: Extra footage providing further insight into the story’s complex themes.
  • Anwar made up as victim
  • Anwar and Adi complain about corruption
  • A Deputy Minister owes his position to Pancasila Youth
  • The newspaper publisher on universal humanism
• Trailers: For "The Act of Killing" and select others.
• Booklet: Contains Errol Morris' essay from Slate.com on related historical contexts.

Joshua Oppenheimer's "The Act of Killing" is a documentary that reshapes the boundaries between reality and fiction, revealing unsettling truths about humanity's capacity for cruelty and self-deception. As described by Oscar-winning documentarian Errol Morris and acclaimed German filmmaker Werner Herzog, both executive producers, the film ventures into unprecedented territory, showcasing a surreal, nightmarish world where perpetrators of genocide re-enact their crimes in cinematic genres ranging from gangster movies to musicals. The documentary’s exploration of the Indonesian killings of 1965-1966 through the eyes and actions of Anwar Congo and his associates offers a phenomenal, disturbing look into the minds of mass murderers, presenting a society steeped in corruption and violence on an almost incomprehensible scale.

Oppenheimer's work is notable not only for its subject matter but also for its innovative approach to storytelling within the documentary genre. By encouraging the killers themselves to participate in the re-enactment of their atrocities, he blurs the lines between past and present, perpetrator and victim, in a way that's both compelling and disconcerting. Congo, a central figure who boasts of personally killing around 1,000 people, embodies this intersection of reality and performance, revealing his deep connection to and influence by cinema in his execution methods. The film's impact is magnified by its detailed portrayal of a country under the shadow of its brutal past, where former executioners live as heroes amidst the silent suffering of the victims' descendants.

Technical intricacies, like the editorial decision to include sequences that reveal a society both celebrating and struggling with its violent legacies, accentuate the film's powerful narrative. Oppenheimer’s patient, thematic construction enables viewers to navigate the complex moral landscape presented by Anwar and his comrades' horrifying acts, juxtaposed with moments of almost ludicrous self-aggrandizement. The director’s cut, praised for its superior pacing and inclusion of additional context, deepens the viewer's understanding of the film's critical and chilling examination of human nature, guilt, and redemption. "The Act of Killing" achieves a haunting visualization of genocide’s aftermath, leaving an indelible mark on the consciousness of all who witness it. Through its innovative format and unflinching gaze, the documentary succeeds as a profound statement on the power of cinema to confront and convey reality's darkest facets.

The Act of Killing" Blu-ray presentation offers a profound and disturbing immersion into the Indonesian genocide of 1965 through the lens of its perpetrators, challenging viewers with its unconventional approach to documenting history. Directed by Joshua Oppenheimer, the documentary delves deep into the psyche of the killers, presenting their narratives in a manner that is both provocative and enlightening. Critics have pointed out that the film may leave some wanting a more straightforward historical account of the events. However, as highlighted by influential figures like Errol Morris and Werner Herzog, the documentary's strength lies in exploring broader questions of historical memory, culpability, and the mechanics of storytelling itself, rather than providing a mere factual recount.

The Blu-ray edition boasts exceptional video and audio quality that enhances the viewing experience, complemented by insightful extras such as commentary and interviews. These features enrich the audience's understanding, offering a deeper dive into Oppenheimer's methodology and the impact of the film within Indonesia. It's noteworthy that while the documentary has faced criticism for not being an exhaustive historical document, its intent is more profound – to reveal the narratives Indonesia tells itself about its past and to scrutinize the moral paradoxes embodied by figures like Anwar Congo.

In conclusion, "The Act of Killing" stands as an essential yet harrowing viewing experience that transcends traditional documentary filmmaking. Its Blu-ray release encapsulates this achievement with high-quality technical presentations and additional content that contribute to the film's powerful impact. Far from a simple retelling of historical events, it confronts audiences with the uncomfortable realities of narrative construction, memory, and identity, both individual and national. This Blu-ray edition is highly recommended for those prepared to grapple with these complex themes, promising an unforgettable exploration of humanity's darker facets.