Plot Summary
Nanking is a 2007 documentary film directed by Bill Guttentag and Dan Sturman. The film provides an upsetting and powerful account of the Nanking Massacre, also known as the Rape of Nanking, which occurred in 1937 during the Second Sino-Japanese War. After the Imperial Japanese Army captured the city on December 13, 1937, over the course of several weeks, Japanese soldiers committed heinous acts of violence, including mass killings, rapes, and multiple looting cases.
Public Reaction
While watching, the people around me had various reactions to the film. Most of them were amazed and expressed respect for the directors, providing an abundance of useful and valuable facts about the tragedy that are often omitted from public knowledge. The rest, in fact, were terrified by the details and representations of the events of the murder, but, at the same time, were thankful for addressing them. Even though my group and I already had some knowledge of the Massacre, we seized the opportunity to be reminded of it after watching the film.
Personal Reaction
Personally, I was touched and stayed calm at the same time. The film’s atmosphere diminished the overall impact of the tragedy, allowing the audience to focus on the facts and create lasting memories. Despite the murder being unrelated to my friends or relatives, it was difficult not to feel sorrow in any case.
Comparison of Prior Knowledge and Insights from the Film
I learned about the Nanking Massacre individually and during my history classes. Still, the film should not be compared to anything I have encountered before. As mentioned earlier, I appreciate the directors’ contribution to making the film as detailed and precise as possible. In this way, the Chinese and the rest of the world are aware of the truth and have no questions left. I would definitely recommend this title for anyone wishing to delve deeper into the reality of what happened during the Nanking Massacre.
Reference
Guttentag, Bill, and Dan Sturman, directors. Nanking. 2007. Documentary film.