The Look of Silence magnifies the immorally glorified souls of those who slaughtered millions of innocent “communists”. “We’d drag them. Some of them screamed. ‘Please, sir! Have mercy!’ But we don’t care. In fact, we beat him again to shut him up.”. Two former death camp leaders proudly re-create the grisly scenes of the ‘65 purge of supposed “communists” under the instigation of the armed forces, which became widely known as the Indonesian Genocide. Documentarian Oppenheimer asks them an explicit question. “from here, can the prisoners see the blood?”. “Yes, because the place was lit by torches.”, they enthusiastically reply. “Because others went first. So he’s given up hope. ‘I’m about to die’, he’s thinking. ‘I’d better accept it’”, they describe the apparent thoughts of their victims before decapitating, mutilating and kicking their bodies into Snake River. “Feel free to take a photo!”, passing a digital camera to Oppenheimer. They joyously pose atop the butchered souls of thousands, their blood stains infused with the earth they stand on. One of the killers hoists two fingers in the air, offering a peace sign, before proceeding with a thumbs up gesture.
Oppenheimer utilised this blood-curdling footage years later, by showing its profound horror to a middle-aged Indonesian man whose brother was an unfortunate victim of the national purge. Acknowledging the explicit nature of his country’s past and yearning to learn more, he singlehandedly confronts the perpetrators who executed the killings with Oppenheimer documenting the anxiety-inducing conversations, under the pretence of an eye examination. Through the changing of lenses, this metaphorical dissimulation magnifies the retinas of “Adi’s” brother’s executors, allowing windows into their darkened souls to widen.
Predictably, much like with Oppenheimer’s creatively profound companion piece ‘The Act of Killing’, these individuals expressed minimal remorse. Proud to serve their nation and glorify their political ideologies. However, the purpose of these bleak confrontations was not to agitate those that committed such atrocities, but to perpetuate a historic generational divide within Indonesia. The current generation educated with false truths to adhere to the current sociopolitical climate. “Communists gouged the eyes out of army generals”, students are taught. Yet the truth couldn’t be any further from that manipulative fabrication. Everyone seemingly forced into silence regarding the questioning of their own national history. Therefore, producing such an unflinching documentary that dares to question the morality and legitimacy behind one of the worst genocides in recent history, is of paramount importance. Not just to Indonesia, but every nation that endures tainted democracy. Inciting societies to educate themselves and not ignore the grave actions of their previous generation.
Oppenheimer challenges the boundaries of documentary filmmaking once again, crafting uncompromising perceptive enlightenment through one man. A man whom represented the nullified silence of those feared by their own government. A man whom fearlessly questioned the very individuals that shaped his current standard of living. Representing the suffering and fragility of an oppressed society. Understatedly profound, yet consistently unshakeable in nature. The inclusion of iridescent quietude, from expansive shots of village life to close-ups of metamorphosis, overemphasising the extinguished freedom of speech. Many of the confrontations delivering unwavering tyrannical sensibilities likening their ideologies to totalitarian repression, exhibiting minimal sorrow for the thousands they slaughtered. Conversations that rightly bury the words under the skin to those listening. Ranging from indirect threats such as “be careful, what you’re doing may be deemed as communist behaviour” to Western influences including “America taught us how to hate communists”. Undoubtedly disconcerting.
Reservations for the confrontation with “Adi’s” uncle, whom was guarding “communists” before they were massacred, is the sole criticism this documentary obtains. Staged, exploitative and unnecessarily producing familial drama in a nation that is already fragmented and traumatised. Consequently Oppenheimer overstepped the line in that particular instance, despite “Adi’s” insistence, creating an artificially uncomfortable atmosphere for the sake of drama.
However, whilst not creatively innovative as his former insight into the Indonesian Genocide, Oppenheimer’s The Look of Silence unequivocally nullifies all emotive output, perhaps more so that his previous directorial efforts. It is unflinching. It is uncompromising. It is of paramount significance. We need boundary-testing documentaries like this to truly provide insight and to evoke human right activism. To microscopically magnify the actions of humanity’s past and ensure they never happen again. “That’s politics. Politics is the process of achieving your ideals”, the former commander of civilian militia joyously states with a grimace. “In many ways...”.
