Nanking Documentary

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

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.

[Anonymous]

I threw that last part in because I found myself having to console a few female students who seemed a little perturbed at some of the footage. Their "responsible" teacher forgot to fast-forward that part of the movie.

[Anonymous]

PM Fukuda's remarks that he will never return to Yasukuni Shrine (a monument symbolizing aggressive nature of Japanese militarism) seems rather promising, though I suspect many Chinese remain skeptical of the lack of accountability (at least publicly).

[Anonymous]

Thank you for sharing your experince of living in Japan. I am looking forward to wathcing the documentary.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for sharing this information. I am looking forward to the screening at USC in January.

[Anonymous]

Nanking massacre has long been ignored.

The National Democratice Party didn't want to remind people of the massacre because Nanking was its capital during WWII, and it was the NDP army that gave up defending Nanking. The communist party didn't want to mention it because it badly needed Japan's economic aid when China was still isolated from the rest of the world. (The Mao's China signed a treaty with Japanese government, giving up all war compensation rights to trade for Japanese economic aid.)

It was in recent years that this part of history is getting more attention from the Chinese because quite some people in Japan denied the history of Nanking massacre, and claimed it was fabricated. Japanese politicians keep paying homage to the Y. Shrine in Tokyo, where WWII criminals, including the general who led the massacre, were worshiped.

[Anonymous]

I bought a used dvd copy of this movie for $5.00 from my local Blockbuster. The actual footage and testimonials are very effective in telling of the atrocities of Nanking. I'm not sure if I liked the "actors reading in a circle", but names like Woody Harrelson will definitely attract a wider audience. And maybe it will make the documentary a bit more accessible for students.

[Anonymous]

Has anyone seen the doc? I'm interested to hear some reactions.

[Anonymous]

cchin, I can understand what you mean about the narrative-style approach but I think it really resonates well with students (personalizing historical events really goes a long way with my kids). Obviously, it can go terribly wrong if it's not done well, though.
[Edit by="cwilson on Mar 8, 7:39:10 PM"][/Edit]

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