S21: The Khmer Rouge Killing Machine


1h 41m 2003

Brief Synopsis

In 1975-79, the Khmer Rouge waged a campaign of genocide on Cambodia's population. 1.7 million Cambodians lost their lives to famine and murder as the urban population was forced into the countryside to fulfill the Khmer Rouges' dream of an agrarian utopia. In S21, Panh brings two survivors back to

Film Details

Also Known As
Khmer Rouge Death Machine, S21, La Machine de Mort Khmere Rouge, S21: Khmer Rouge
MPAA Rating
Genre
Documentary
Foreign
Release Date
2003
Distribution Company
First Run Features

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 41m

Synopsis

In 1975-79, the Khmer Rouge waged a campaign of genocide on Cambodia's population. 1.7 million Cambodians lost their lives to famine and murder as the urban population was forced into the countryside to fulfill the Khmer Rouges' dream of an agrarian utopia. In S21, Panh brings two survivors back to the notorious Tuol Sleng prison (code-named "S21"), now a genocide museum where former Khmer Rouge are employed as guides. Painter Vann Nath confronts his former captors in the converted schoolhouse where he was tortured, though by chance he did not suffer the fate of most of the other 17,000 men, women and children who were taken there, their "crimes" meticulously documented to justify their execution. The ex-Khmer Rouge guards respond to Nath's provocations with excuses, chilling stoicism or apparent remorse as they recount the atrocities they committed at ages as young as 12 years old. To escape torture, the prisoners would confess to anything, and often denounce everyone they knew - though their final sentence was never in doubt.

Film Details

Also Known As
Khmer Rouge Death Machine, S21, La Machine de Mort Khmere Rouge, S21: Khmer Rouge
MPAA Rating
Genre
Documentary
Foreign
Release Date
2003
Distribution Company
First Run Features

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 41m

Quotes

Trivia

Miscellaneous Notes

Released in United States June 2003

Released in United States May 2003

Released in United States October 2003

Released in United States on Video May 24, 2005

Released in United States Spring May 19, 2004

Shown at Cannes Film Festival (Special Screenings) May 14-25, 2003.

Shown at New York Film Festival October 3-19, 2003.

Shown at SILVERDOCS:AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival (World View) June 18-22, 2003.

Released in United States May 2003 (Shown at Cannes Film Festival (Special Screenings) May 14-25, 2003.)

Released in United States Spring May 19, 2004 (NY)

Released in United States on Video May 24, 2005

Released in United States June 2003 (Shown at SILVERDOCS:AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival (World View) June 18-22, 2003.)

Released in United States October 2003 (Shown at New York Film Festival October 3-19, 2003.)