The Act of Killing is a powerful and disturbing documentary that delves into the minds of former Indonesian death squad leaders. If you were captivated by its raw and unflinching portrayal of human cruelty, here are 15 other documentaries that explore similar themes of violence, human rights, and political corruption.
1. The Look of Silence
This documentary serves as a companion piece to The Act of Killing, focusing on the victims of the Indonesian genocide. Directed by Joshua Oppenheimer, it features Adi Rukun confronting the men who killed his brother.
2. Shoah
Directed by Claude Lanzmann, Shoah is a monumental documentary about the Holocaust. It features interviews with survivors, witnesses, and perpetrators, offering a comprehensive look at one of history’s darkest periods.
3. The Fog of War
In this film, former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara shares his insights on modern warfare. Directed by Errol Morris, The Fog of War explores the complexities and moral ambiguities of war.
4. Waltz with Bashir
Ari Folman’s animated documentary recounts his experiences as an Israeli soldier during the 1982 Lebanon War. Waltz with Bashir blends animation and real-life interviews to explore the trauma of war.
5. The Thin Blue Line
Errol Morris’s groundbreaking documentary investigates the wrongful conviction of Randall Dale Adams for the murder of a Dallas police officer. The Thin Blue Line is credited with helping to overturn Adams’ conviction.
6. The Killing Fields
Based on a true story, this film depicts the friendship between a Cambodian journalist and an American reporter during the Khmer Rouge regime. Starring Sam Waterston and Haing S. Ngor, The Killing Fields is a harrowing tale of survival.
7. City of Ghosts
This documentary follows the citizen journalist group Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently as they document atrocities committed by ISIS. Directed by Matthew Heineman, City of Ghosts offers a gripping look at the Syrian conflict.
8. The Act of Seeing with One’s Own Eyes
Stan Brakhage’s experimental film documents autopsies in a Pittsburgh morgue. The Act of Seeing with One’s Own Eyes is a raw and unflinching look at death and the human body.
9. Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills
This documentary investigates the wrongful convictions of three teenagers for the murders of three young boys in West Memphis, Arkansas. Directed by Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky, Paradise Lost is a chilling look at justice gone awry.
10. Night and Fog
Alain Resnais’s short but powerful documentary about the Holocaust combines contemporary footage of concentration camps with archival footage. Night and Fog is a haunting reminder of the atrocities committed during World War II.
11. The Missing Picture
Rithy Panh’s documentary uses clay figures and archival footage to recount his family’s experiences during the Khmer Rouge regime. The Missing Picture is a poignant and personal exploration of memory and loss.
12. Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father
This emotional documentary by Kurt Kuenne tells the story of his murdered friend Andrew Bagby and the subsequent legal battle for custody of Bagby’s son. Dear Zachary is a heartbreaking tale of love, loss, and justice.
13. The Devil Came on Horseback
This film documents former U.S. Marine Captain Brian Steidle’s experiences as an observer of the Darfur conflict. The Devil Came on Horseback exposes the horrors of genocide and the international community’s failure to intervene.
14. The Square
Jehane Noujaim’s documentary follows activists during the Egyptian Revolution of 2011. The Square captures the hope, struggle, and disillusionment of those fighting for political change.
15. War Photographer
This documentary profiles photojournalist James Nachtwey and his work in war zones around the world. Directed by Christian Frei, War Photographer offers a sobering look at the human cost of conflict.
