CRI听力：Documentary Reminds People of History

Entitled Nanking, the film is set during the Japanese occupation of Nanking in 1937, a small group of foreigners worked together to save over 200,000 Chinese civilians by establishing a safe zone.

Adapted from the American Chinese writer Iris Chang's 1997 bestseller "The Rape of Nanking," the documentary brought that horrifying and atrocious part of history into the spotlight.

Though Nanking is not the first movie on the topic, it's proven educational to some. To many in attendance at the Beijing premier earlier this week, the documentary, while revealing past atrocities, is not meant to foster hatred but rather to stir an awareness of the priceless value of peace. 

" The movie presented many historical facts that I didn't know before. I hate wars even more now and wish these peaceful times we live in can last for ever."

"Before I watched the film, I didn't know that a group of foreigners helped rescue so many people at that time. War is bad. I hope there will never be war and fighting in the world."
 
"History cannot be forgotten. The world should know the truth from that part of history. People who have the courage to tell the truth are worth admiring."

Chang Zhiping is one of the survivors of the Nanjing Massacre.

"My parents, brothers and sisters were killed at that time. Today this movie is a reminder of history. It's a movie for peace."

The movie is based entirely on letters, diaries and first-hand testimony from those who witnessed the massacre. It is filmed in narrative form with actors speaking directly into the camera.

Academy-Award-winning director Bill Guttentag is one of the film's two directors.

"We use stage reading because I thought that was an interesting and compelling way to tell the story while being truthful to the story. The idea is you weave it together like a tapestry. You have the Chinese survivors, the Japanese soldiers, and the foreign voices. And I hope they fit together."

The film was recently shown at the 2007 Shanghai Film Festival after its acclaimed debut at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival in the U.S.

While the 90-minute documentary may not provide a definitive account on the order of Iris Chang's book, the personalities it brings to the light are worthy of widespread exposure.

Currently no fewer than six movies about the massacre are in the works.

The massacre known as 'the rape of Nanking' lasted approximately six weeks. During which nearly 300,000 civilians and prisoners of war were slaughtered.

Shuangfeng, CRI news.