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First They Killed My Father
2017 136 min United States of America R 16+
★7.3
War, Drama, History
Director: Angelina Jolie
📖 Based on the novel
«First They Killed My Father»
byLoung Ung
Trailers
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Description
A 5-year-old girl embarks on a harrowing quest for survival amid the sudden rise and terrifying reign of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia.
Budget:
$24M
Starring
Sareum Srey Moch
Actor
Phoeung Kompheak
Actor
Sveng Socheata
Actor
Awards
Golden Globe 2018
— Best International Feature Film
BAFTA 2018
— Best International Feature Film
Key opinion
First They Killed My Father is praised for its immersive, child-centered perspective on the Khmer Rouge genocide, though it remains a polarizing work. While many critics value its raw emotional delivery and historical importance, others argue the film suffers from thin character development and controversial historical framing.
| Acting | The child lead's performance provides a poignant and effective anchor for the film’s exploration of trauma. | |
| Cinematography | The cinematography effectively utilizes a detached, observational style that enhances the harrowing, immersive nature of the war experience. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is divisive; supporters appreciate its focus on the collective struggle of the Cambodian people, while critics find the characters emotionally flat and lacking individual depth. | |
| Theme | Interpretations of the film's historical narrative are split: some view it as a necessary act of remembrance, while others criticize it as propagandistic or historically reductive. | |
| Pacing | The film's pacing is a point of contention, with some viewers feeling the rhythmic, observational approach drags and struggles to maintain tension throughout the runtime. |