A new film called "Tokyo Trial" is set to hit screens nationwide tomorrow. The film centers 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.

 

Director Gao Qunshu has included two storylines in the film: the tale of 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.

 

"The film will hit cinemas this Friday and six major cinema chains in China will show it," said Gao Qunshu during a press conference yesterday in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province.

 

According to Gao, in previous Beijing and Shanghai releases, 80 percent of the dialogue was in English and Japanese, adding to the international flavor 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 are opposed to the war," said Gao, adding that several Japanese cinema chains have contacted him to buy the screening rights.

 

History experts have praised the film with Su Zhiliang, a renowned professor in history with Shanghai Normal University, saying that "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."

 

 

 

 

 

 

(China Daily August 31, 2006)