First They Killed My Father

2017
7.2| 2h16m| R| en| More Info
Released: 18 February 2017 Released
Producted By: Bophana Production
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website: https://www.netflix.com/title/80067522
Synopsis

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.

... View More
Stream Online

The movie is currently not available onine

Director

Producted By

Bophana Production

AD
AD

Watch Free for 30 Days

All Prime Video Movies and TV Shows. Cancel anytime. Watch Now

Trailers & Images

Reviews

Greenes Please don't spend money on this.
FuzzyTagz If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.
Josephina Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.
Janis One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.
sddavis63 This is a very powerful movie, based on a memoir by Loung Un, that depicts the trials of one family in Cambodia. Opening in Phnom Penh, the family is shown to be happy, prosperous and comfortable, living in a beautiful apartment with few worries. "Pa" is an officer in the pro-American government's military. But as the US commitment in neighbouring Vietnam collapses, the US withdraws from Cambodia, and Phnom Penh is overrun with guerrillas from the Khmer Rouge. People are expelled from the city, and the rest of the movie depicts the brutal treatment of the Khmer Rouge toward these refugees who required "re-education," whose personal possessions were taken away and who were forced to work in labour camps, supplying food to the soldiers whole they themselves faced virtual starvation, with many of the children being taught to become killing machines for the new regime. The movie is largely told through the eyes of Loung, and it's certainly eye-opening for viewers, as we're exposed to the inhumanity (on all sides) of warfare.Directed by Angelina Jolie (who I thought did a fabulous job) the film doesn't paint a simplistic portrait of "Khmer Rouge bad, Americans good." It was the US that decided to start a bombing campaign in neutral Cambodia, after all, turning much of the rural population against them and those who were looked on as their allies - mainly the city dwellers, and especially former government officials and soldiers. The decision to film the movie in Cambodian (rather than having the actors speak English with Cambodian accents or dubbing the dialogue into English) was a good one that gave even more of a feel of authenticity to this. The portrayal of Loung (by a Cambodian child actress named Sreymoch Sareum) was superb and powerful. Starting out as a fun-loving, somewhat mischievous little girl, the range of emotions shown as she deals with the nightmare she fell into was absolutely raw. I did find that the last half hour (as Loung finds herself first with the Vietnamese and then in a Red Cross camp) was a little bit confusing.It might help if a viewer has a little bit of knowledge about the history of Cambodia in this period and especially about the Khmer Rouge regime, but it's not vital. The story itself lets you know what you need to know and the heartache you feel for Loung (and her siblings, and really everyone who was caught up in this madness as their worlds were turned upside down) is very deep and very real. It's a powerful experience to watch this. (8/10)
millanadee I have no clue why the rating for this movie is so low. I have seen all the movies that were nominated this year, and for me, hands down, this was the best movie I have seen this year. I could not take my eyes off it for one minute. The acting was outstanding, by all, especially the little girl who plays the main character. It is shown with such grace and compassion. The scenes were fantastically shot. It's is such a sad world, especially when we are driven to kill our own people. The only reason I decided to watch it was because it was directed by Angelina Jolie, and to be honest my expectations were low. Wow was I wrong.everything about this film was unbelievably heartfelt, it was done with such sweetness.
paul2001sw-1 The Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia attempted to end the class war in the most emphatic fashion, namely by ending the existence of the higher social classes. It evacuated the cities and attempted to construct a peasant nation, forcing so- called intellectuals into brutal work camps. In additionally intentionally killing anyone it identified as an enemy, it moreover brought famine upon those it did not intend to kill (though population reduction was arguably a goal in itself). Few if any other governments are responsible for the deaths of so many of their populations. The story was told famously in 'The Killing Fields', shot shortly after the overthrow of the regime, but Angelica Jolie has now made a new movie about this era, based on the testimony of a survivor. On one hand, 'First They Killed My Father' boldly eschews Hollywood-style narratives; on the other, it also eschews much in the way of explanation. A series of bad things happen to the daughter of a previously prosperous family, and that's all. Without the narrative, one feels this might have been better had it been shot as a documentary reconstruction. It would also have been interesting to learn more about what enabled the rise of the Khmer Rouge and what led Cambodia down such an awful path: the only answer we get is American bombing, but in Vietnam, for example, there was an orthodox communist regime that did not resort to pure genocide. As it is, the film is a worthwhile reminder of what awful things humans can do to each other; but not completely compelling as either story or history.
Motherspot Wow! What a beautiful movie. Jolie totally succeeds in telling this story about suffering humanity in the hands of an insane doctrine. Just about everything is well thought out and directed. The characters are deep and come over as very real. Special credits for the main protagonist, the little girl who acts so convincing and absolutely succeeds in touching our hearts. Camera work is great...And the story is told in the language of the land it plays in. How different is this war story then her work in 'The land of blood & honey'..which was terrible. This film is brought to us in a warm & touching manner...while not emphasizing too much on the brutal murders and killings that where abundant in that period of Cambodian history...I'ts a great story of suffering & survival being told in an utterly convincing way! Chapeau for Angelina's work on this Film.