http://commentarytrack.com/2008/06/06/review-the-children-of-huang-shi-2008/ movie reviews, news and discussion Sun, 20 May 2012 05:18:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 http://commentarytrack.com/2008/06/06/review-the-children-of-huang-shi-2008/#comment-467 miriam Sat, 07 Jun 2008 13:19:29 +0000 http://commentarytrack.wordpress.com/?p=730#comment-467 The documentary, Nanking, is quite powerful and uses an interesting blend of contemporary film, current interviews, and dramatization. The dramatization doesn't attempt to recreate events, but consists of actors speaking the words (from letters and diaries) of the several Westerners who attempted to maintain a safety zone for the civilian population. We hear their personal commentary and day by day accounts of events mixed with the horrific film images - taken secretly with great courage - of the occupation. I thought it a very effective way to bring immediacy and humanity to the historical record. And you don't have to wonder how much is really real in that 'based on real events' disclaimer. The documentary, Nanking, is quite powerful and uses an interesting blend of contemporary film, current interviews, and dramatization. The dramatization doesn’t attempt to recreate events, but consists of actors speaking the words (from letters and diaries) of the several Westerners who attempted to maintain a safety zone for the civilian population. We hear their personal commentary and day by day accounts of events mixed with the horrific film images – taken secretly with great courage – of the occupation. I thought it a very effective way to bring immediacy and humanity to the historical record. And you don’t have to wonder how much is really real in that ‘based on real events’ disclaimer.

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