In one of the largest unknown mass-killings of the 20th century, an estimated 500,000 to 1,000,000 Indonesians were killed in 1965 when General Suharto began a purge of suspected "communists" through a complex and highly contested series of events–ultimately leading him to the presidency. Under his authoritarian rule, any discussion, recognition or memorializing of the mass killings that differed from the Suharto’s official state narrative was quickly suppressed.

With the recent release of Joshua Oppenheimer's documentary, "The Act of Killing," there has been a spike in international interest in one of the most horrific chapters in Indonesia's history, as well as renewed debate within the country's borders. While "The Act of Killing" documents the atrocities committed in 1965 from the perspectives of the perpetrators, the victim's are still struggling to have their voices heard.

The feature-length documentary film, "40 Years of Silence: An Indonesian Tragedy," follows the compelling testimonies of four individuals and their families from Central Java and Bali, two regions heavily affected by the purge. As they break their silence publicly for the first time, each family provides an intimate and frightening look at what it was like for survivors of the mass killings. In chilling detail, they describe the events of 1965 through their own experiences; re-living and reflecting upon the stigmatization and brutalization that they continue to endure on both the village and state levels.

Over time, the survivors and their families attempt to find ways to deal with a tragedy that was not openly recognized by their neighbors, government or the world. Through their stories, audiences come to understand modern-day Indonesia’s potential for retribution, rehabilitation and reconciliation within this troubled historical context. The characters’ narratives illustrate that such violence creates tears in the social and political fabric of society, which can take generations to heal.

The whole film has now been released online streaming for free. Check it out here: https://vimeo.com/22663719 . Also streaming on youtube: http://youtu.be/ISRxBlgsHl4 .