After watching, The Act of Killing (2012), I thought I should go back and watching this film, which covers historical events in Indonesia. This film has a certainly noteworthy cast, featuring Mel Gibson and Sigourney Weaver.
It is a decent film but lacks a great deal of depth of the historical events which unfold around the characters, at the same time without giving any real feeling for the character's or their feeling for each other. This film has been labeled a love story, but there if very little love nor emotions in the main characters on again, off again, relationship.
One other point is there is a lack of films about Indonesia, so this film should be lauded for giving exposure to a country and historical events that are often overlooked. Made by an Australian film company, it is a subject that no Hollywood has shown no interest in.
This film seemed to barely make back the cost it took to produces the film. I thought the film had an impressive reputation, but I feel that it may be almost unknown.
One reviewer back in 1983 said "If this film doesn't make an international star of Mr. Gibson, then nothing will.", but I don't know how widely known this film is, and it doesn't seem a lot of Mel Gibson fans even acknowledge this film.
Showing posts with label The Year of Living Dangerously. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Year of Living Dangerously. Show all posts
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.
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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