'The Killing Fields' (1984)

In light of the recent tragic death of Journalist, Marie Colvin, I am left contemplating the heroics of journalists in the line of action.  Bruce Robinson’s, ‘The Killing Fields’ (1984) is particularly reminiscent of this almost 20 years later, bringing to life the poignant true-story of New York Times journalist, Sydney Schanberg and Cambodian journalist and interpreter, Dith Pran in the depths of the Cambodian civil war in the 1970’s.

                Making his directorial debut, Roland Joffe, has produced an extraordinarily emotional film exhibiting the horrors under the Communist regime in Cambodia.  Alongside first-time screenplay writer, Bruce Robinson, ‘The Killing Fields’ encapsulates a story of friendship, loyalty and professional demand in the throngs of war and turmoil.

                Set amongst the exceptionally breathtaking landscape of Thailand, Sam Waterston and actual survivor of the Khmer Rouge regime, Haing Somnang Ngor, play journalists Sydney Schanberg and Dith Pran, covering the withdrawal of US troops from Vietnam in 1975.  Although his family are evacuated from Saigon, Pran remains by Schanberg’s side to carry out his occupational duty, to only be imprisoned by the very communist regime that rules over his country, whilst Schanberg is evacuated. Joffe effectively constructs fear and tension, as we are left fearing for Pran, whilst his life hangs in the balance.

                However, unfortunately, this film is plagued by its debut status. With directional, screenplay writer and acting debuts all appearing in such a momentous film, I am forced to behold the limitations that hinder the storytelling of a truly horrific event. Avoiding the gruesome accounts of the bloodshed and the millions of people killed would have otherwise been considered respectful and a safe option for the inexperienced pair. But in this instance, I question whether this self-censorship is disrespectful to the millions that lost their lives and inadequate for the millions that should be told of the atrocities.

                  I would only hope that the viewing public is as forgiving as Dith Pran, who when asked for forgiveness from Schanberg, purely says; “Nothing to forgive, Sydney, nothing.”