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an extraordinary display of the power of cinema. some 50 years ago, Western films gave Indonesian killers the style (and disfigured rationale) to execute their murders -- life imitating art. now aged and unrepentant, the same killers use film to recreate those atrocities -- art imitating, then becoming life, in revelatory ways.
seeing that process is incredibly surreal, especially the day-to-day glimpses of death squad leaders who never had to face their own crimes. a middle-aged man who orphaned dozens, hundreds of children, now staring disconnectedly while his teenage daughter takes selfies in the mall. another of his comrades speaking casually of raping and killing 14-year-olds, with remorse only for the fact he can no longer do it. even the best fictional minds couldn't think up, or get away with, some of the imagery and allegories here.
all of these moments are made possible by the lure of creating a film -- whether it's a paramilitary leader taken aback by the ferocity his men show when reenacting a genocide scene, or Anwar watching what his own actions look like on the screen. Anwar's reaction to his starring role, and the emotion that brings, reminded me of a quote from another director, Steve McQueen:
"That's what cinema is all about...it's got to be about an urgency, a necessity. Like a dog whistle going off. All you need is an hour and a half...you can hit people on the head right there. Cinema's amazing, isn't it?" --------
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