Anatomy of Murder + The Act of Killing

Episode Notes

Considering ethics in Anatomy of Murder and The Act of Killing. The podcast episode on the themes of Anatomy of Murder and The Act of Killing explores the disturbing and complex nature of violence and its consequences. The first film, Anatomy of Murder, is a classic crime drama that delves into the motivations and aftermath of a murder, as a defense lawyer tries to prove the innocence of his client. The second film, The Act of Killing, is a documentary that confronts the perpetrators of the Indonesian genocide, as they reenact their crimes for the camera. Through these two films, Double Feature examines how violence can be justified and how it can leave a lasting impact on those involved and society as a whole. The episode also touches on themes of justice, morality, and the power dynamics at play in both films.

Trailers

Covers

Anatomy of Murder

Released: July 1, 1959
Runtime: 160 min | IMDB | Wikipedia

Director: Otto Preminger
Writer: Wendell Mayes
Starring: James Stewart, Lee Remick, Ben Gazzara

Semi-retired Michigan lawyer Paul Biegler takes the case of Army Lt. Manion, who murdered a local innkeeper after his wife claimed that he raped her. Over the course of an extensive trial, Biegler parries with District Attorney Lodwick and out-of-town prosecutor Claude Dancer to set his client free, but his case rests on the victim's mysterious business partner, who's hiding a dark secret.

The Act of Killing

Released: November 1, 2012
Runtime: 159 min | IMDB | Wikipedia

Director: Joshua Oppenheimer, Christine Cynn
Starring: Anwar Congo, Herman Koto, Syamsul Arifin

In a place where killers are celebrated as heroes, these filmmakers challenge unrepentant death-squad leaders to dramatize their role in genocide. The result is a surreal, cinematic journey, not only into the memories and imaginations of mass murderers, but also into a frighteningly banal regime of corruption and impunity.