Thursday, May 1, 2014

The Killing Fields (1984)

I had heard of this film, and had a general idea what it was about, but began watching it after mistaking it for "The Year of Living Dangerously".  This was a spectacular film, especially with it's review of the slaughter/genocide/holocaust that took place in Cambodia.

First, as a film, it was a great story, that kept you glued to the screen.  The film can stand on it's own as a oveview of the horrific events that took place during as well.

The only question that arises is if most viewers would feel confused if they lacked the basic background of the Khmer Rouge, perhaps making it difficult to understand underlying circustances that lead to these events.

Accolades must be given to Haing S. Ngor, who not only stared in this film (for which he received academy award) but himself was a Cambodian genocide survivor.  While he was slain decades later, while living in the US after becoming a US citizen, he indicated that this film was a important enough achievement that he felt fulfilled the most important role in his life.  This film should not be forgotten, nor overlooked.

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