Uns dois cem mil refugees aglomeraram-se na zona, que mediu duas milhas quadradas. During the brutal occupation, Safety Zone committee members vehemently protested the army’s actions to the Japanese authorities, but the carnage continued. Every day John Rabe, Minnie Vautrin, and the others fought to keep the Safety Zone’s boundaries intact and the refugees safe.[2]

The filmmakers made an intriguing and ultimately perfect decision to use Hollywood actors as the Westerners whose writings provide much of the film’s basis. Woody Harrelson, Mariel Hemingway, Jurgen Prochnow, and Stephen Dorff are among those whose portrayals of these heroes bring them to life on screen. Each was chosen not only for their acting abilities, but for their resemblance to the real person. Thus, as the performances are interspersed with archival footage of the people themselves, the transition remains surprising smooth.

Ted Leonsis at the Nanking premiere

The performances are quite effective  every word the actors speak is drawn directly from the letters and diaries of the people themselves. The actors address the audience as if we were the recipients of those letters, and the impact is powerful.

Lest one think that this film somehow targets the Japanese, Leonsis makes it clear that it is an anti-war film, not an anti-Japanese film. Sadly, the tragedy of Nanking has been, and still is, replayed on many other stages throughout the world.

Nanking is a powerful reminder of man’s tendency toward cruelty when presented with too much power, and illustrates the adage of those who forget history being doomed to repeat it. Yet it is also the story of individuals who fight evil to protect the helpless, and those who rise above horrible circumstances to inspire others.

I cannot recommend Nanking highly enough; it’s an incredible documentary that pulls you in with its riveting stories  both horrible and uplifting â€â€Ã‚ yet never strays from the truth.

You can go to Ted Leonsis’ blog and sign up to be informed of the film’s release in theaters and/or on DVD; you can also see his keynote presentation at the AFI SILVERDOCS filmfest.

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Posted at 8:00 pm. Filed under Ted Leonsis.
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4 Comments

  1. Gustafsson wrote:

    I echo OC’s sentiments. This film was tremendous. Both my wife and I were struck with how well it was done.

    One of the most striking aspects of Nanking was not necessarily the use of music but the use of silence. The Kronos Quartet performed the original score in the film and was outstanding. The score brought to life the feelings of anxiety, sadness, and hope.

    However, during an interview with a Nanking survivor in which the now elderly Chinese man recounts a harrowing tale involving his mother and baby brother. It was by far the most moving moment in the film. During the four minutes or so that the gentleman tearfully retold the events, not one note was played. The lack of music forced the viewer to pay close attention to the words and perhaps caused it to be even more emotional. It was a brilliant use of “music” and was as stirring as the words that were spoken.

    Sunday, June 17, 2007 at 9:54 pm | Permalink
  2. chanuck wrote:

    Disappointed that Ted didn’t remember that DCSC and I would have love to see that opening. Especially since my father lived through the Japanese invasion and does not like to talk about it. Hope to get a chance to see it some day.

    Monday, June 18, 2007 at 12:56 am | Permalink
  3. OrderedChaos wrote:

    We’ve received a few questions about a Nanking theatrical release. From what I gathered at the Q&A, Leonsis and company plan to release it for Academy Award consideration in November or December. No word on whether its U.S. release will be a wide distribution, art-house theaters only (like the Landmark in DC), or just NYC/LA. But keep an eye on http://www.nankingthefilm.com for an announcement once distribution plans are official.

    Monday, June 18, 2007 at 4:54 pm | Permalink
  4. Julie wrote:

    I am obsessed with the Rape of Nanking after our family recently discovered that my great-aunt, Grace Bauer, was one of the American missionaries who stayed inside the city to help the Chinese. She worked in the Univ. of Nanking hospital with Robert Wilson. She never told younger generations of our family about what she had lived through and we had no clue until Chinese researchers contacted us looking for her papers. My cousins have pulled over 800 letters out of their attic that she wrote home from China over 23 years and they have found her diary. We are devouring all she wrote and working to get the word out that her letters and diary exist and serve as further proof of the atrocities. If you or anyone else wishes to contact me, email: jujahju@gmail.com

    September 10, 2007 1:22 PM

    Monday, September 10, 2007 at 2:34 pm | Permalink

2 Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. On Frozen Blog | Nanking Film Release Update on Monday, June 18, 2007 at 9:28 pm

    [...] We’ve received emails from readers asking when Nanking will be in theaters. Ted Leonsis has kindly provided the following distribution information: [...]

  2. Rape of Nanking, Bloody Tourists, and Hair-Tweezing Socks « I wish I was like you, easily amused on Thursday, June 21, 2007 at 10:57 am

    [...] 21st, 2007 · No Comments The AFI Silver held their SILVERDOCS documentary film festival last week and had several very gooddocumentaries.  Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to see any of them.  There was one in particular that caught my eye.  I stumbled on this review for the film.  I’ve written about the Rape of Nanking briefly before relating a story that my grandmother told me while she was in Nanking.  While not nearly as monumental as the Holocaust, it is undoubtedly just as tragic.  Hundreds of thousands of Chinese civilians were raped maimed and killed by the Japanese army.  It’s getting a wide release before Christmas this year and I urge you to go see it.  Or go read The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II by Iris Chang.  Just be prepared for some very disturbing pictures in the book and, what I would assume, scenes in the movie.  The pictures in the book are more disturbing than the video in the Holocaust museum where you have to look over the wall. [...]

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