A new film called "Tokyo Trial" is set to hit screens nationwide tomorrow.
The film centres on the trial of 28 top Japanese war criminals at the
International Military Tribunal for the Far East by judges of 11 Allied Powers,
including China, in 1946 after the conclusion of World War II.
"The film will hit cinemas this Friday and six major cinema chains in China
will show it," said Director Gao Qunshu during a press conference yesterday in
Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu Province.
According to Gao, in previous releases in Beijing and Shanghai 80 per cent of
the dialogue was in English and Japanese, adding to the international flavour of
the film.
In addition to famous Chinese stars such as mainland comedy actor Ying Da,
the film also attracted US and Japanese actors.
"I had thought Japanese actors would turn down the opportunity to perform in
this historical movie, but they accepted the plot and delivered professional
performances," Gao was quoted by Xinhua News Agency as saying. "Only a small
batch of Japanese politicians are to blame for the war and Japan's militarism,
and a lot of Japanese people were very anti-war," said Gao.
He added some Japanese cinema chains have also contacted him to buy the
screening rights.
Gao has included two storylines in the film: How Mei Ru'ao, the only Chinese
judge at the tribunal, maintains China's dignity and status on the international
stage; and the incredible pain that an ordinary Japanese family suffered
throughout the war.
History experts have praised the film.
"This film objectively reflects how justice beat evil in the military
tribunal almost 60 years ago. It shows the determination of our country to
oppose war and seek peace. I will try to introduce the film into middle school
history books next year," said Su Zhiliang, a renowned professor in history with
Shanghai Normal University.
