Through the Young Man Adi's Quiet Gaze, It Approaches the 'Irresponsible Evil' Hidden in the Genocide

In his previous film, 'The Act of Killing,' which won two awards at the Berlin International Film Festival and over 70 awards worldwide, director Joshua Oppenheimer exposed the brutality of the Indonesian genocide through an unprecedented method: the perpetrators themselves, without any guilt, gleefully recreated their killings for the film.

In his new film, 'The Look of Silence,' created from the victims' perspective, the young man Adi, whose brother was killed in the genocide, confronts the perpetrators with a quiet gaze and surprising methods. He succeeds in bringing to light the 'irresponsible evil' hidden within the genocide.

'The Look of Silence' Has Already Earned Global Acclaim.Won five awards at last year's Venice International Film Festival, including the Grand Jury Prize in the competition section. The film, which generated significant buzz and even moved society in its home country of Indonesia, is now set for its long-awaited release in Japan.

The Feelings of a Mother and Son Silenced for Half a Century

In 2003, Adi met director Joshua Oppenheimer and was deeply shocked by footage the director had taken of the perpetrators proudly recounting their massacres. While the perpetrators, still in positions of power, lived enjoyable lives, Adi's mother remained unable to escape her grief over the brother who had died in vain. Furthermore, even after nearly 50 years, Adi's family, the victims, were still living in fear of the perpetrators who resided nearby, forced into silence.

Seeking to break this cycle, Adi met the director again in 2012 and proposed, "I want to meet the perpetrators who killed my brother and hold them accountable."

Utilizing his profession as an optometrist to ease their guard by offering "free eye exams," Adi quietly measured their vision while posing increasingly pointed questions. However, what he witnessed was the fact that none of the perpetrators considered the genocide their responsibility.

'I was just following orders,' 'If you want to live in this village, don't say anything else'… What is reflected in Adi's thoughtful eyes as he is met with such words? The emotions of a mother and son, silenced for half a century, overflow from the screen.




The Look of Silence
Now Showing Nationwide from Saturday, July 4th, at Theatre Image Forum and other cinemas
*Special late-night screenings of the previous film, 'The Act of Killing Theatrical Edition,' also begin Saturday, July 4th.
Director | Joshua Oppenheimer
Distribution | Transformer
2014 / Denmark, Indonesia, Norway, Finland, UK / 103 minutes
http://www.los-movie.com


© Final Cut for Real Aps, Anonymous, Piraya Film AS, and Making Movies Oy 2014