• S21: The Khmer Rouge Killing Machine (2003) Soundtrack OST •

S21: The Khmer Rouge Killing Machine Soundtrack (2003) cover

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Rating: 7.30/10 from 1200 votes

Alternate Names:

Title in Español:

S21: La máquina roja de matar

Title in Italiano:

S-21. La macchina di morte dei khmer rossi

Title in Português:

S21: The Khmer Rouge Killing Machine

Synopsis

Between 1975 and 1979, the communist inspired Khmer Rouge waged a campaign of terror and mass murder on Cambodia's population. Up to 1.7 mill. Cambodians lost their lives to famine, hard labor and murder as the urban population was forced into the countryside to fulfill the Khmer Rouge's dream of an agrarian utopia.

In the former Security Prison 21 (code-named "S21"), which was once a high school and is today the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, director Rithy Panh brings two of the few survivors back to discuss what happened there between 1975 and 1979. Painter Vann Nath survived by chance and didn't suffer the same fate as 17,000 other men, women and children who were taken there, tortured and their so-called 'crimes' meticulously documented to justify their execution.

The ex-Khmer Rouge guards respond to Nath's questions 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 always death.

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Play	Title	Artist
	S21: The Khmer Rouge Killing Machine

User reviews

Margaret Rodriguez

1/10

Thomas Green

7/10

The music serves as a powerful storytelling tool, guiding the audience through the harrowing journey of the survivors and shedding light on this dark chapter of history.

David Hall

7/10

The soundtrack effectively conveys the sense of dread and horror that permeated Security Prison 21 during the Khmer Rouge regime, without resorting to sensationalism.

Paul Phillips

6/10

The use of silence in certain scenes of the film, accompanied by minimalistic musical cues, enhances the emotional impact of the survivors' testimonies. The subtle yet powerful soundtrack allows the audience to fully immerse themselves in the stories being told.

Emily Parker

6/10

The incorporation of traditional Cambodian instruments in the soundtrack adds a layer of authenticity to the film, grounding the narrative in the cultural context of the events depicted. The music serves as a poignant reminder of the rich heritage that was devastated by the Khmer Rouge's atrocities.

Edward Green

9/10

The use of traditional Cambodian instruments intertwined with modern compositions creates a powerful contrast that adds depth and authenticity to the narrative. The soundtrack not only complements the visuals but also serves as a poignant reminder of the atrocities committed during the Khmer Rouge regime, making it a crucial element in conveying the harrowing reality of the events depicted in the film.

Jennifer Jones

8/10

The use of traditional Cambodian instruments in the soundtrack adds a layer of cultural authenticity and resonance to the film's narrative.

Steven Parker

7/10

The subtle and restrained score allows the voices of the survivors and ex-Khmer Rouge guards to take center stage, creating a balanced and respectful portrayal of the events.

Michael Phillips

5/10

The contrast between moments of tense silence and sudden bursts of intense music mirrors the unpredictable and volatile nature of the Khmer Rouge regime. The soundtrack effectively conveys the sense of fear and uncertainty that pervaded Cambodia during that period.