Strange experience. Felt more like I was observing a “revenge” flick ala Charles Bronson, while at the same time feeling an uncomfortable $10 splurging for a HOW TO CONDUCT A BETRAYAL movie. But hold on Jane, chill. Isn’t this thing about a deserved betrayal? Ummm, yes. Buuuuuut the idea of a 10 year preparation to hang (metaphorically speaking) a person via a documentary filmmaking in Cambodia bothered me. Perhaps it was the lack of actual Cambodian genocide footage that created this strife. Honestly, not sure. By definition, what happened in the killing fields of Cambodia (i.e. the senseless killings) by the hands of that communist radical regime , deserved retribution. But at what cost? Is it ok to get more blood on some sticky hands while seeking a lil “payback”? If you wanna win many indie awards, then that answer is- YES.Strange experience. For me. As an artist. And a humanitarian. The filmmaker could have simply notified the International authorities about the whereabouts of this murderous political monster that he interviewed. Why engage in more negativity and discrete horror. Maybe, for a movies sake, we all like to pay money for a little action-packed story. I don’t think anyone should feel sorry for this old man who is betrayed by the filmmaker after committing himself to a phony friendship of 10 years to get a few confessions for his audience (DID ANYONE JUST SAY, "LEN" )- but the audience would have been on board with or without “setting up” the old Uncle. I feel. But wait a second- who IS the real audience?
Strange experience. that paid off in very weird ways. I still think about this film, in terms of it’s accomplishments (not in art style and/or aesthetic). In the end, I left reminded that ALL people are capable of very terrible things. Very cruel things. Very evil things. I am still recovering form the realization/reminder that not only “bad” people do “bad” things, but actually “good” people have that capacity as well. A sad thing to be reminded of. A despicable truth. And probably why Julia Roberts does so well, repeadtidly, with her campy fun-loving good spirited girl with a smile moviez. In general, most people don’t wanna be reminded of this kind of stuff. And don’t need to be.
Especially not me.
But did you like it Jane?
Yeah, I guess I did.
Bye.
