Nanking Documentary

It's not my intention to ruin the film for those who are intending on showing up for the USC premier so I'll keep this post rather cryptic. Clay mentioned the film today and (while it's still on my mind) I thought I'd give my brief reflections on the movie.

I screened this film last year for my 10th grade world history class and I think it went over really well with a lot of the students. I found it to be much more effective than the more impersonal "standard" documentaries that are shown in many history classrooms I've been in. Having actual first-hand accounts was extremely refreshing. We had a nice discussion after the film regarding the roles of Western missionaries in the city during the time ("why were they there?", "were they invited?", etc.). We then spent a considerable amount of time on the psychological impact the crimes committed against Chinese nationals had on Sino-Japanese relations from that point on. Many of them immediately recognized Woody Harrelson's voice (how they did, I'm still not quite sure...isn't Cheers a little before their time?).

I lived in Japan for 5 years and--although I'm not speaking for the entire population, obviously-- it was astonishing to hear the complete and total indifference toward what had occurred some years prior (many either were ignorant of what had happened or reluctant to admit/place guilt on what had transpired on the government). Then again, I can't help think that many of them were looking at me thinking, "Who are YOU to talk, American?! Remember Hiroshima and Nagasaki? Not to mention the utter destruction caused by the air raids over Tokyo?" Many just wanted to avoid the conversation completely so it never had to come to that...frustrating, but that was something I got quite used to living in Japan.

Anyways, good film. Word to the wise: there are some pretty graphic images (rape, beatings, etc.) toward the latter end of the film...I'm guessing it'll need to be edited in many of your classes if you plan on showing it.