Photo Credit: Final Cut for Real ApS
Many countries have gone through dark times suffering from war, political issues, and genocides. With Rwanda being one of those countries that went through a heart-breaking genocide, Indonesia has also had its own fair share of dark moments as they crawled through the 1965-1966 Indonesian Massacre.
For five decades, Indonesia has hidden in the shadows of a tumultuous past where mass murderers roamed free, and their crimes condoned by the state. A silence has lingered around blocking the truth about one of the most barbaric atrocities. But as they say, “the truth cannot be hidden far too long from the sun.”
In 1965, President Sukarno of Indonesia was overthrown by the Indonesian military supported by the US. They later began a campaign of violence, where thousands and millions of people were killed, imprisoned, and forced to exile.
A powerful documentary, pouring light on this event, “The Look of Silence” directed and filmed by Joshua Oppenheimer, reveals the truth behind a young man named Adi Rukun an optometrist whose brother had passed away during the time in a brutal murder.
This newly revealed evidence sparked a certain boldness in Rukun driving him to confront his brother’s killers. An unthinkable move in a country where power belongs to the perpetrators.
This film has received showers of awards and recognitions, collecting grand jury prize,71st Vencie international film festival, international film critics award and winner of 70 international awards.
“The Look of Silenced” has brought out awareness and international outrage about the Indonesian genocide. It has brought out justice for victim’s families and contributed to the growth of reconciliation amongst people.
A challenge has been set out for us to confront our relationship with the past, to find truth, acknowledge pain and strive for a future where such ill situations do not occur again. This documentary inspires hope for a time where silence will be replaced by dialogue and amnesty gives way to justice.
Jessie Ngowoh.