Although I am always angry on the historical crimes done by Japanese soldiers on Nanjing citizens, I felt not so impressive but calm by this film unlike many others who were totally shocked by the it. What can help me understand the purpose of this film is the title in English - City of Life and Death, which Chuan want to emphasize in his film. The end of the film also highlighted this key point by the suicide of Kadokawa with a question of life or death. Another choice on this question is demonstrated in the film is from Mr. Tang. He left his pregnant wife alone and choose to stay in Nanjing. He choose death because he gave another people the life. And his life will be prolonged by his second child to be born. So every scenario in the film is a choice. Actually many of them are not real choice. At that situation, you have no choice under the weapon of inhuman troops.
Review of City of Life and Death
