Review of The Flowers of War (2011) by Fangyong Z — 27 Dec 2011

Exceeded most of Zhang Yimou's previous work, far beyond my expectation. A powerful and touching story, wonderful acting by the entire cast, especially impressive as most of them are first timer, and as always, as one can expect from Zhang, stunning photography.

For god's sake, it's not about white man saving Chinese virgins. If you only see that, you missed out the whole thing. This is more about the saving of young children, keeping the hope, and the heroic act of those prostitutes and the boy, George. It's a war movie about courage, sacrifice and dignity of life during the very sad period of human history. Some scenes are quite depressing and heart breaking at times, but it reminds us to appreciate the peace we enjoy today.

Unfortunately, for political reasons, this movie is being labled as propoganda from CCP. For those who's interested, the story was adapted from the Diary of Minnie Vautrin, during the Rape of Nanking. Below is the quote from her diary.

"Dec. 16, 1937 (Three days after the fall of the city to the Japanese).

There probably is no crime that has not been committed in this city today. Thirty girls were taken from language school last night, and today I have heard scores of heartbreaking stories of girls who were taken from their homes last night--one of the girls was but 12 years old. Food, bedding and money have been taken from people. ... I suspect every house in the city has been opened, again and yet again, and robbed. Tonight a truck passed in which there were eight or ten girls, and as it passed they called out "Ging ming! Ging ming!"--save our lives.... ".

The historical records is a lot more brutal than what the movie tells us.