Director · Actor

Joshua Oppenheimer

1974

Who they are

Born: 23 September 1974, Texas, USA
Known for: The Act of Killing, The Look of Silence, The End

Joshua Oppenheimer is an American-born documentary and feature filmmaker based in Europe. He is best known for The Act of Killing and The Look of Silence, which examine the 1965–66 Indonesian killings through the perpetrators and survivors. His work is noted for its inventive approach to documentary.

Where to start

The Act of Killing (2012)Full guide
His breakthrough documentary, in which former Indonesian death-squad members re-enact their killings; it won wide acclaim and an Oscar nomination.
The Look of Silence (2014)In the library
Companion film told from the survivors' side, following a man who confronts those responsible for his brother's death.
The End (2024)Log in to add it to the library
His first narrative feature, a post-apocalyptic musical, showing his move beyond documentary.
The Globalisation Tapes (2003)Log in to add it to the library
Earlier collaborative documentary on Indonesian plantation workers, preceding his major Indonesia films.

Their films in the library

Awards

2012 European Film Award for Best Documentary (The Act of Killing)
2013 BAFTA Award for Best Documentary (The Act of Killing)
2014 Venice Film Festival Grand Jury Prize (The Look of Silence)
2013 Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature (The Act of Killing)
2015 Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature (The Look of Silence)

The full list · 18

1995Light TestLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1995Camera TestLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1996These Places We've Learned to Call HomeLog in to add it to the libraryDirector · Actor
1996The Challenge of ManufacturingLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1996HughLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1998The Entire History of the Louisiana PurchaseLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2000Land of EnchantmentLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2003The Globalisation TapesLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2003A Brief History of Paradise as Told by the CockroachesLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2003Muzak, A Tool of ManagementLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2003Market UpdateLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2004Postcard from Sun City, ArizonaLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2012The Act of KillingLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2014The Look of SilenceLog in to add it to the libraryDirector · Actor as Self (voice)
2016Joshua Oppenheimer on Night and FogLog in to add it to the libraryActor
2022Werner Herzog: Radical DreamerLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2024The EndLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2026The Revolution Against DeathLog in to add it to the libraryDirector

Filmography data from TMDB. The profile text is a draft written for Cinespective.