First They Killed My Father

Name: First They Killed My Father
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Released: September 15, 2017
Duration: 136 min
Rating: 72
Cast: Heng Dara, Horm Chhora, Khoun Sothea, Mun Kimhak, Oun Srey Neang

2017

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Generally favorable reviews based on 22 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 46 Ratings

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7.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 46 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Netflix | Release Date: September 15, 2017 | TV-MA

Starring: Heng Dara, Horm Chhora, Khoun Sothea, Mun Kimhak, Oun Srey Neang, Phoeung Kompheak, Run Malyna, Sareum Srey Moch, Sarun Nika, Sveng Socheata, Tharoth Sam

Summary: First They Killed My Father is the adaptation of Cambodian author and human rights activist Loung Ung’s gripping memoir of surviving the deadly Khmer Rouge regime from 1975 to 1978. The story is told through her eyes, from the age of five, when the Khmer Rouge came to power, to nine years old. The film depicts the indomitable spirit &First They Killed My Father is the adaptation of Cambodian author and human rights activist Loung Ung’s gripping memoir of surviving the deadly Khmer Rouge regime from 1975 to 1978. The story is told through her eyes, from the age of five, when the Khmer Rouge came to power, to nine years old. The film depicts the indomitable spirit & devotion of Loung and her family as they struggle to stay together during the Khmer Rouge years.… Expand

Director: Angelina Jolie

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, History

Rating: TV-MA

Runtime: 136 min

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Critic Reviews

100

RogerEbert.com Matt Zoller Seitz

Sep 15, 2017

Angelina Jolie's First They Killed My Father is far and away her best work as a director: a rare film about a national tragedy told through the eyes and mind of a child, and as fine a war movie as has ever been made. Read full review

The Playlist Gregory Ellwood

Sep 13, 2017

If not for Sareum’s charismatic performance the film might fold like a house of cards. Read full review

Leah Greenblatt

Sep 13, 2017

It’s an artful, quietly affecting piece of filmmaking, more than worth the lessons learned. Read full review

Peter Keough

Sep 13, 2017

Jolie does not dwell on the atrocities, though a horrifyingly ironic battle scene near the end contains some gruesome imagery. Read full review

David Lewis

Sep 14, 2017

Jolie has crafted an intimate epic about a tough war subject that probably would have gone unmade without her humanitarian influence and star power. First They Killed My Father is a much more assured film, even if a bogged-down middle section prevents it from greatness. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Dec 19, 2017

It’s just that movie-star turned director Angelina Jolie is a bit too enamored of vast panorama shots created with drones and keeping her mostly under-age cast clean, well-fed and front-and-center in the story. Read full review

Emily Yoshida

Sep 13, 2017

Amid all the important facts, I longed for something unnecessary from the filmmaker, some expressive flourish whose sole purpose isn’t just to convey information. Again I find myself typing the words, “It’s an unquestionably worthy story, I just wish it was told with more inventiveness.” Read full review

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User Reviews

Mimiparis75

Sep 26, 2017

Angelina Jolie is an accomplished filmaker. FTKMF is stunning, it is a powerful film. Great job , cast and crew, all cambodians actors and most of the technicians. This movie deserves all the praises and i hope it will be awarded when comes the award season.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

fabiodias

Sep 15, 2017

Sensitive and powerful film, it's impossible not to be thrilled with Loung's story.

Angelina did a great job with this film, it captures your attention from beginning to end. Special thanks to Mrs. Jolie, for having the audacity to make this film in honor of a people she loves very much.Sensitive and powerful film, it's impossible not to be thrilled with Loung's story.

Angelina did a great job with this film, it captures your attention from beginning to end. Special thanks to Mrs. Jolie, for having the audacity to make this film in honor of a people she loves very much.

After watching this movie you will never be the same again, I just regret not being able to hug Loung Ung, because that's what you want to do after watching the story of her life.… Expand

2 of 6 users found this helpful24

ravensmith

Sep 26, 2017

I was so moved by this film. As beautiful as it is heartbreaking, seeing these happen through the Eyes of a child.This is not an easy film to watch, children suffering from war, but it's an important piece of history.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Illesttenzin

Jul 25, 2020

It's an awesome movie. I enjoyed every aspect of what Angelina and her team did to make the reality of book come to life. Great cinematography, acting and directing. I absolutely recommend everyone reading my comment to watch it.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

tarekali

Nov 17, 2020

“First They Killed My Father” is a very difficult movie to watch. I had known much about the Cambodian genocide under the Khmer Rouge, nevertheless it was painful to slog through this tale, at points my emotion overcame me. The story is a quiet horror unfolding scene by scene, without much“First They Killed My Father” is a very difficult movie to watch. I had known much about the Cambodian genocide under the Khmer Rouge, nevertheless it was painful to slog through this tale, at points my emotion overcame me. The story is a quiet horror unfolding scene by scene, without much gore but with the stronger dread of helplessness in the face of a universal terror all around you. The true fear of this film is watching your beautiful world and family torn apart by forces over which you have absolutely no control. As a father I simply cannot imagine the strength of character it took for Leung’s parents to hold their family together with stoicism, courage and smiles in the face of such unimaginable horror.
Leung herself is a master class. You can see her struggle to hold onto her childhood and innocence as it is torn away from her, and even till the end she does not give in. Looking at this terrible dark chapter of human history through her eyes is a new perspective. Her wits, sharpness and determination were her ultimate survival skills. As the namesake of the movie, the moments when the parents were forever separated from their kids made me choke up in a way few movies have.
I am so glad this true story was told in an unfiltered manner, in the harsh depiction it deserves. To this day Cambodia has unhealed wounds, as the demons of the Khmer Rouge have been largely unpunished. In the outside world fresh horrors have unfolded since in Bosnia, Rwanda, Myanmar and now Xinjiang. The world continues to sit silent and observe. I will be eternally grateful to Angelina Jolie for her sheer masterful direction and support to bring this must see story to the big screen.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

JLuis_001

Sep 20, 2017

For those who continue doubting, First They Killed My Father is a film that proves that Angelina Jolie has real talent for directing, perhaps even more than she once had for acting.

This film represents her best and maturest effort behind the cameras, it's work that overflows empathy andFor those who continue doubting, First They Killed My Father is a film that proves that Angelina Jolie has real talent for directing, perhaps even more than she once had for acting.

This film represents her best and maturest effort behind the cameras, it's work that overflows empathy and understanding even on front of the indifference that can provoke her own vision of the events that she is narrating in this movie.

Nonetheless this movie it's totally worth it, it is certainly one of the best hits for Netflix this year and also we should give recognition to Angelina Jolie who continues to mature and evolve as a filmmaker and I can assure that we are very close to see something incredibly remarkable from her.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Cursai

Sep 16, 2017

Looks nice......they got the asia sky hues just right. But the whole film plays out like the poor unfortunates are bored at the worlds most basic holiday camp than at a holocaust site. It's a Lifetime TV safe version of events. Also as an aside, i wondered as i was watching the film, why theLooks nice......they got the asia sky hues just right. But the whole film plays out like the poor unfortunates are bored at the worlds most basic holiday camp than at a holocaust site. It's a Lifetime TV safe version of events. Also as an aside, i wondered as i was watching the film, why the director changed her Cambodian kids names to an American variant instead of keeping their original Cambodian versions.....BORED to death(camp).… Expand

1 of 6 users found this helpful15

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