History Lesson

This is an excellent documentary on the Japanese invasion and occupation of Nanking during the early years of World War II.  Inspired by Iris Chang's book The Rape of Nanking, the film centers on the atrocities committed by the Japanese military and the creation of a safety zone within the city by a group of Westerners attempting to stem the onslaught of murder and rape.  The story is told through a series of interviews with Chinese survivors, Japanese soldiers, and staged readings of contemporary accounts. 

The readings are performed by actors seated together in a large room.  Combined with archival photographs, it's an effective strategy in providing emotional immediacy to the accounts.

The stories the Chinese survivors tell are vivid and harrowing in detail. It's gut-wrenching to hear. As my friend remarked, there's something about watching grown Chinese men sobbing that just hits you hard.

Then there's the interviews with the former Japanese soldiers, which elicit completely different reactions.  One man, while describing his participation in a gang rape, pauses uncomfortably.  Is it out of guilt?  You search his face for any hint of remorse, an inkling of regret, but come up empty as you realize the reason for his hesitation: embarrassment.  "Sex is no good unless both people are into it," he finally says awkwardly.  It's the closest thing that comes to an apology.

The Japanese government has refused to acknowledge that the Nanking massacre ever took place, branding the evidence and eye witness accounts as lies.  In some ways this is the hardest part about the story.  As long as they continue to deny and obfuscate, there can be no path to healing.  It's a story that feels unfinished, unresolved, like an open wound.

http://nankingthefilm.com