In the year 1975, the Communist Party of Kampuchea, was elected to power in Cambodia. Their reign lasted 4 years and resulted in widespread famine and the genocide of 1.5-3 million. The Khmer rouge (followers of the party), targeted minorities while banning any type of religion and medicines. Without medicines, Malaria infected many villages and the scarcity of food, wiped out thousands by starvation. Rithy Panh tells of his devastating experiences through one of the worst genocides in modern times, by using stills, news footage and clay figures.
Clay figures are usually used in children animations, so its strange to see them used for such a serious and harrowing story. The figures are stationary while the camera glides in and out of scenes. Hundreds of different figures, all individually crafted and painted, were used throughout the film which is an impressive achievement in itself. It is a weird technique that hasn't been used before in film (correct me if I am wrong), but is effective as the faces of the victims seem even more haunting when every little detail of their face is hand-crafted.
The events told in the film are from the directors perspective, when he grew up in Cambodia as a child. It tells how every member of his family died throughout the years 1975-1979. The first-hand view of the atrocities featured in the film tells everything that happened to him, in moving and sad detail. The fact he lost every member of his family, resonates through the entire film, giving the film a bleak and depressing outlook.
Its a event that is known to people who were alive at the time (my parents), but is rarely mentioned today. I admit that before going into the film, I knew nothing about the Cambodian genocide. This film does well as a educating documentary about the events, while showing the consequences of the misuse of ideology and power.
It is a staggering documentary, that informs about the Cambodian genocide for the generations that have forgotten the event, and those that never knew it's existence.
TO CONCLUDE
A harrowing and informative documentary about the genocide of millions. I must warn that the film is depressing.
SCORE
73
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