The Look of Silence Poster

The Look of Silence 2014

★ 7.8304 votes100 min📅 2014-11-13

Joshua Oppenheimer's harrowing documentary *The Look of Silence (2014)* plunges viewers into the chilling aftermath of Indonesia's 1965–1966 anti-communist purge through the eyes of Adi Rukun, a compassionate optician seeking justice for his murdered brother.

Director: Joshua Oppenheimer

Cast

Adi Rukun
Adi Rukun
Self
M.Y. Basrun
Self
Amir Hasan
Self (archive footage)
Inong
Self
Kemat
Self
Joshua Oppenheimer
Joshua Oppenheimer
Self (voice)
Amir Siahaan
Self
Ted Yates
Ted Yates
Self (archive footage)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Look of Silence (2014) about?

*The Look of Silence* follows Adi Rukun, an optician in Indonesia, as he confronts the perpetrators of the 1965–1966 mass killings that took his brother's life. The film explores Adi's personal quest for justice while exposing the lingering trauma and denial within his community.

Who directed The Look of Silence?

The film was directed by Joshua Oppenheimer, an acclaimed American filmmaker known for his documentaries on political violence and human rights.

Who stars in The Look of Silence?

The documentary features Adi Rukun, M.Y. Basrun, Amir Hasan, Inong, Kemat, and Joshua Oppenheimer as key figures in the narrative.

Is The Look of Silence (2014) worth watching?

As a documentary that shines a light on one of history's lesser-known atrocities, *The Look of Silence* offers both educational value and emotional weight. Its unflinching portrayal of complicity and resilience makes it a powerful watch for fans of thought-provoking cinema, though its subject matter is undeniably heavy.

How long is The Look of Silence?

The film has a runtime of 100 minutes.

🎥 Trailer

About The Look of Silence (2014) — A Haunting Journey Through Indonesia's Dark Past

Joshua Oppenheimer's harrowing documentary *The Look of Silence (2014)* plunges viewers into the chilling aftermath of Indonesia's 1965–1966 anti-communist purge through the eyes of Adi Rukun, a compassionate optician seeking justice for his murdered brother. As Adi confronts the men responsible—some of whom proudly recount their roles in the genocide—the film exposes the enduring scars of state-sanctioned violence, where fear and impunity linger decades later. With unflinching intimacy, Oppenheimer crafts a haunting meditation on memory, complicity, and the fragile nature of human dignity under oppression.

The documentary's stark black-and-white visuals amplify the film's unsettling atmosphere, blending clinical observation with raw emotional tension. Through Adi's quiet resilience, *The Look of Silence* challenges audiences to confront the banality of evil and the cost of silence in a society still grappling with the ghosts of its past.