City of Life and Death

Nanjing! Nanjing!

(China, 2009, 133 mins, 35mm)

Exec. Producer/Writer: Lu Chuan
Producers: Han Sanping, Qin Hong, Zhou Li, John Chong, Andy Zhang
Cinematographer: Cao Yu
Editor: Teng Yu
Music: Liu Tong
Sound: Lai Qizhen
Cast: Lou Ye, Gao Yuanyuan, Hideo Nakaizumi, Fan Wei

The fall of Nanking in December 1937 during Japan’s invasion of China was the beginning of unspeakable trauma for its residents. An estimated 300,000 Chinese were killed in a period of weeks during the Nanking Massacre; the event stirs great emotions and controversy to this day. Acclaimed Chinese director Lu Chuan (KEKEXILI: MOUNTAIN PATROL, SFIAAFF ‘04) spent four years developing a stunning epic on the tragedy, CITY OF LIFE AND DEATH, considered by many critics to be one of the best films of 2009. Beginning with the city’s invasion and occupation by the Japanese Army, the film creates a startling immediacy out of well-documented historical events by following the conflict through a series of characters (many based on real-life individuals). Lu, a Chinese soldier (Liu Ye), continues to fight despite knowing the battle was lost, while young teacher Jiang (Gao Yuanyuan) risks her life to protect innocents. On the “other” side, Nazi merchant John Rabe’s assistant Tang (Fan Wei) naively believes his position will save his family, while the idealistic Japanese soldier Kadokawa (Hideo Nikaizumi) bears silent witness to the atrocities committed by his comrades. Shooting in arresting black and white images, Lu is less concerned with showing unspeakable violence than in capturing the chaos and confusion of war, and how that madness ultimately brings out the best and worst of humanity. Non-melodramatic and surprisingly balanced, CITY OF LIFE AND DEATH is a rare masterpiece that is heartbreaking, brutal and shocking, but never fails to show the courage, compassion and hope of humanity.

-- Vicci Ho

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