The Act of Killing

Oppenheimer's highly acclaimed The Act of Killing is a documentary with a difference. Focussing on Indonesian death squad killers, and allowing them to re-enact their crimes for the rolling camera in a variety of Hollywood styles allowing them to dance their way through musical numbers, twist arms in film noir gangster scenes, and gallop across prairies as yodelling cowboys, it is raw, astonishing and utterly horrifying.

Heralded as a "masterpiece" and as "an important exploration of the complex psychology of mass murderers," the film explores the conscience of Anwar Congo, who personally killed over one thousand people. Rather than demonising Anwar or portraying him as a caricature, he is undeniably a human being, albeit a murderous bully, which makes every moment so much more real and gut-wrenching.

The powerful picture becomes more surreal and nightmarish as it goes on, resulting in a breath-taking climax. The Act of Killing will stay with you long after the credits roll, and will truly make you question the concept of humanity in a way that a straight-laced documentary never could.