S-21: The Khmer Rouge Killing Machine
Encyclopedia
S-21: The Khmer Rouge Killing Machine is a 2003 documentary film
directed by Rithy Panh
. Rithy, himself a survivor of the Khmer Rouge
, brought together two former prisoners of the regime with their former captors at Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
, the former Security Prison 21 (S-21) under the Khmer Rouge.
and Chum Mey
, two survivors of the Khmer Rouge
's Tuol Sleng Prison
, are reunited and revisit the former prison, now a museum in Phnom Penh
. They meet their former captors – guards, interrogators, a doctor and a photographer – many of whom were barely teenagers during the Khmer Rouge era from 1975 to 1979. Their appearances are in stark contrast to the two former prisoners, who are both elderly men. Vann Nath, who was made to paint portraits of prisoners, has a full head of white hair.
The guards and interrogators give a tour of the museum, re-enacting their treatment of the prisoners and daily regimens. They look over the prison's detailed records, including photographs, to refresh their memories.
At one point, Vann Nath directly confronts his former captors about their actions, but they counter that they themselves were also victims, being little more than children at the time, and hold themselves blameless.
, where it won the Prix François Chalais. It was also screened at several other film festivals, including the 2003 Toronto International Film Festival
(its North American premiere), the New York Film Festival
and the Vancouver International Film Festival
. It won for best documentary at the Chicago International Film Festival
, the European Film Awards and the Valladolid International Film Festival; humanitarian award at the Hong Kong International Film Festival
, the FIPRESCI
Prize at the Leipzig DOK Festival, a special jury prize at the Copenhagen International Film Festival
, and runner-up at the Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival
.
In Cambodia, the film was a catalyst for confession about the Cambodian Civil War
. Former Khmer Rouge leader Khieu Samphan
saw the film and was moved to admit the existence of the prison after years of publicly denying it.
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
directed by Rithy Panh
Rithy Panh
Rithy Panh is an internationally and critically acclaimed Cambodian documentary film director and screenwriter.The French-schooled director's films focus on the aftermath of the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia...
. Rithy, himself a survivor of the Khmer Rouge
Khmer Rouge
The Khmer Rouge literally translated as Red Cambodians was the name given to the followers of the Communist Party of Kampuchea, who were the ruling party in Cambodia from 1975 to 1979, led by Pol Pot, Nuon Chea, Ieng Sary, Son Sen and Khieu Samphan...
, brought together two former prisoners of the regime with their former captors at Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is a museum in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. The site is a former high school which was used as the notorious Security Prison 21 by the Khmer Rouge communist regime from its rise to power in 1975 to its fall in 1979...
, the former Security Prison 21 (S-21) under the Khmer Rouge.
Plot
Vann NathVann Nath
Vann Nath was a Cambodian painter, artist, writer and human rights activist who was one of a diverse group of writers from 22 countries to receive the prestigious Lillian Hellman/Hammett Award which recognizes courage in the face of political persecution which he faced during the Khmer Rouge...
and Chum Mey
Chum Mey
Chum Mey is one of only twelve known survivors of the Khmer Rouge imprisonment in the S-21 Tuol Sleng camp, where more than 16,000 Cambodians were sent for execution. He survived two years of torture and fear in a Khmer Rouge death camp, sustained by thoughts of his pregnant wife and unborn child...
, two survivors of the Khmer Rouge
Khmer Rouge
The Khmer Rouge literally translated as Red Cambodians was the name given to the followers of the Communist Party of Kampuchea, who were the ruling party in Cambodia from 1975 to 1979, led by Pol Pot, Nuon Chea, Ieng Sary, Son Sen and Khieu Samphan...
's Tuol Sleng Prison
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is a museum in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. The site is a former high school which was used as the notorious Security Prison 21 by the Khmer Rouge communist regime from its rise to power in 1975 to its fall in 1979...
, are reunited and revisit the former prison, now a museum in Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is the capital and largest city of Cambodia. Located on the banks of the Mekong River, Phnom Penh has been the national capital since the French colonized Cambodia, and has grown to become the nation's center of economic and industrial activities, as well as the center of security,...
. They meet their former captors – guards, interrogators, a doctor and a photographer – many of whom were barely teenagers during the Khmer Rouge era from 1975 to 1979. Their appearances are in stark contrast to the two former prisoners, who are both elderly men. Vann Nath, who was made to paint portraits of prisoners, has a full head of white hair.
The guards and interrogators give a tour of the museum, re-enacting their treatment of the prisoners and daily regimens. They look over the prison's detailed records, including photographs, to refresh their memories.
At one point, Vann Nath directly confronts his former captors about their actions, but they counter that they themselves were also victims, being little more than children at the time, and hold themselves blameless.
Cast
- Khieu 'Poev' Ches (Guard)
- Yeay Cheu (Him Houy's mother)
- Nhiem Ein (Photographer)
- Houy Him (Security deputy)
- Ta Him (Him Houy's Father)
- Nhieb Ho (Guard)
- Prakk Kahn (the Torturer)
- Peng Kry (Driver)
- Som Meth (Guard)
- Chum MeyChum MeyChum Mey is one of only twelve known survivors of the Khmer Rouge imprisonment in the S-21 Tuol Sleng camp, where more than 16,000 Cambodians were sent for execution. He survived two years of torture and fear in a Khmer Rouge death camp, sustained by thoughts of his pregnant wife and unborn child...
(Survivor) - Vann NathVann NathVann Nath was a Cambodian painter, artist, writer and human rights activist who was one of a diverse group of writers from 22 countries to receive the prestigious Lillian Hellman/Hammett Award which recognizes courage in the face of political persecution which he faced during the Khmer Rouge...
(Survivor) - Top Pheap (Interrogator & Typist)
- Tcheam Seur (Guard)
- Mak Thim (S21 Doctor)
- Sours Thi (Head of Registers)
Reception
S-21: The Khmer Rouge Killing Machine premiered at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival2003 Cannes Film Festival
The 2003 Cannes Film Festival started on May 14 and ran until May 25. The Palme d'Or went to the American film Elephant by Gus Van Sant.-Jury:* Patrice Chéreau, President * Aishwarya Rai * Meg Ryan * Karin Viard...
, where it won the Prix François Chalais. It was also screened at several other film festivals, including the 2003 Toronto International Film Festival
2003 Toronto International Film Festival
The 2003 Toronto International Film Festival ran from September 4 to September 13, 2003. A total of 336 films from 55 countries were screened during the festival...
(its North American premiere), the New York Film Festival
New York Film Festival
The New York Film Festival has been a major film festival since it began in 1963 in New York. The films are selected by the Film Society of Lincoln Center...
and the Vancouver International Film Festival
Vancouver International Film Festival
The Vancouver International Film Festival is an annual film festival held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada for two weeks in late September and early October...
. It won for best documentary at the Chicago International Film Festival
Chicago International Film Festival
The Chicago International Film Festival is an annual film festival held every fall. Founded in 1964, it is the longest-running competitive film festival in North America....
, the European Film Awards and the Valladolid International Film Festival; humanitarian award at the Hong Kong International Film Festival
Hong Kong International Film Festival
The Hong Kong International Film Festival is a platform for filmmakers, film professionals and filmgoers from all over the world to launch and experience new film work. There are seminars, conferences, exhibitions, and parties celebrating the festival community...
, the FIPRESCI
FIPRESCI
The International Federation of Film Critics is an association of national organizations of professional film critics and film journalists from around the world for "the promotion and development of film culture and for the safeguarding of professional interests." It was founded in June 1930 in...
Prize at the Leipzig DOK Festival, a special jury prize at the Copenhagen International Film Festival
Copenhagen International Film Festival
Copenhagen International Film Festival is a film festival held in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was first held in 2003, and is held annually. The main award at the Copenhagen International Film Festival is the Golden Swan, which will be awarded for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best...
, and runner-up at the Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival
Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival
The Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival is a documentary film festival held biennially in Yamagata, Japan.It was first held in October 1989, which makes it one of the longest running documentary film festivals in the world and the most distinguished such festival in Asia...
.
In Cambodia, the film was a catalyst for confession about the Cambodian Civil War
Cambodian Civil War
The Cambodian Civil War was a conflict that pitted the forces of the Communist Party of Kampuchea and their allies the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the Viet Cong against the government forces of Cambodia , which were supported by the United States and the Republic of Vietnam The Cambodian...
. Former Khmer Rouge leader Khieu Samphan
Khieu Samphan
Khieu Samphan was the president of the state presidium of Democratic Kampuchea from 1976 until 1979. As such, he served as Cambodia's head of state and was one of the most powerful officials in the Khmer Rouge movement, though Pol Pot was the group's true political leader and held the most...
saw the film and was moved to admit the existence of the prison after years of publicly denying it.