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City of Life and Death
City of Life and Death
8.0
/10
496 Ratings

CITY OF LIFE AND DEATH

Nanjing! Nanjing!

Directed by Lu Chuan
Hong Kong, China, 2009
Drama, History, War

Synopsis

Based on recorded witness testimony from real-life survivors, City of Life and Death is a stunning depiction of the Rape of Nanking, meticulously recreating the infamous reign of terror conducted by the occupying Japanese army in the Chinese capital in 1937.

Synopsis

Based on recorded witness testimony from real-life survivors, City of Life and Death is a stunning depiction of the Rape of Nanking, meticulously recreating the infamous reign of terror conducted by the occupying Japanese army in the Chinese capital in 1937.

Our take

Few filmmakers have gone so far to dramatize historical atrocities. In disarmingly gorgeous, stark, and widescreen B&W photography, alongside a minimal score, Lu Chuan visualizes the era to reveal the humanity and pinpoint the villainy. This is a heart-breaking, unmissable landmark film.