Lu Chuan’s Nanking Nanking: too emotionally charged for some?
The above article from the Chinese media seems to reinforce the impression I’ve heard through the grapevine regarding Nanking, Nanking or City of Life and Death—namely, that it’s a hard, brutal film to watch. However, the article merely points out that during some test screening of the film that some audience member in Shanghai cursed and threw a bottle at the screen and then walked out. I tend to be skeptical about the importance of these things, but then again, I’m not the moneyman financing this film. The article points out the bleakness of the black-and-white film might have gotten to said audience member. However, the article irresponsibly spoils the ending of the film, not so much in terms of what happens, but in terms of what the last shot is, and the emotional tone that it sets—and then proceeds to quote Lu Chuan about the making of the film, and how depressing and difficult it was at times, and how that ending (perhaps they shot the script in sequence) was a moment of relief and redemption.
I was never one to really care to know about how “grueling” the filming process was for directors since after all, whatever hardships they endure during the process, it is, after all, just the making of a movie. It’s long work hours and emotionally exhausting, perhaps, but I think it’s a lot better than being a janitor your entire life.
But I digress. Well, it seems that the movie ought to hit the screens in Shanghai fairly soon, after premiering in Beijing and Nanjing a few days ago. If all goes well, expect a review right on China Film Journal soon!
