“The Act of Killing is a headache,” spat out Anwar Kongo, the lead actor in the film of that name. Anwar claimed he was much sought after by local and foreign journalists since the film’s release.

The 72-year-old had not expected the movie in which he was cast would make him an overnight celebrity. Since the screening of the 149-minute film in the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 8, his cell phone has been ringing almost daily, with requests for interviews.      

Anwar said he was happy to speak to reporters but he had been forced to limit his meetings with media people as he was exhausted by the dozens of callers every day.

“I’m happy but also too fatigued to deal with them,” complained Anwar, indicating that the journalists had mostly inquired about his role in the mass killing of members of the Indonesian Communist ...