John Rabe (2009)
Nanking, China, November 1937. After a long stay in China, German John Rabe (Ulrich Tukur), head of the hydroelectric plant that the German company Siemens has in the city, makes his return to Germany. However, when Japanese troops approaching the city with the intention of taking it by assault, coinciding with the day of the official farewell to local authorities Rabe, Japanese begin their bombardment. Before the turn of events, Rabe, with the help of the British Medical Robert Wilson (Steve Buscemi), the director of the University of Nanking, and the German diplomat Georg Rosen (Daniel Brulh) decided to organize a "security zone" inside the city to protect Chinese citizens from the atrocities of Nipponese soldiers.
is curious to see how the Sino-Japanese war, until recently a semidesconocido war and neglected by the cinema, has become the last several years in order estimable productions as the very recent budget Children of Huang Shi or the magnificent City life and death.
In this case, John Rabe addresses the reconstruction of the events surrounding the capture of Nanking by the Japanese imperial troops and the subsequent infamous slaughter, from the perspective of the German citizen, a member of the Nazi party did not hesitate to risk his own life and security to help China's population compared to Japanese barbarism. Rabe's efforts, alongside those of other European residents in Nanking, served to create a safety zone where over 200,000 took refuge inhabitants of Nanking, which saved their lives thanks to the existence of such a zone. However, despite the humanitarian feat achieved, John Rabe was no prophet in his land. On his return to Germany in February 1938, his denunciation of the Japanese crimes in Nanking alone earned him to be arrested by the Gestapo and watch the slaughter his documents were confiscated. Rabe died in 1950 without receiving any formal recognition, and his memory was forgotten until in 1996 he published his diary on the events in Nanking, which ultimately earned him recognition by the Chinese government and the international press, who baptized post as "The Schindler of Nanking ."
In this case, John Rabe addresses the reconstruction of the events surrounding the capture of Nanking by the Japanese imperial troops and the subsequent infamous slaughter, from the perspective of the German citizen, a member of the Nazi party did not hesitate to risk his own life and security to help China's population compared to Japanese barbarism. Rabe's efforts, alongside those of other European residents in Nanking, served to create a safety zone where over 200,000 took refuge inhabitants of Nanking, which saved their lives thanks to the existence of such a zone. However, despite the humanitarian feat achieved, John Rabe was no prophet in his land. On his return to Germany in February 1938, his denunciation of the Japanese crimes in Nanking alone earned him to be arrested by the Gestapo and watch the slaughter his documents were confiscated. Rabe died in 1950 without receiving any formal recognition, and his memory was forgotten until in 1996 he published his diary on the events in Nanking, which ultimately earned him recognition by the Chinese government and the international press, who baptized post as "The Schindler of Nanking ."
Entering assess the film, it is noted in a thoughtful first formal appearance. The setting of Nanking (filmed in an old area of \u200b\u200bShanghai), the staging and the excellent photography really introduce the viewer into the era and atmosphere of the China of the 30's. It is equally remarkable interpretive paragraph, with Ulrich Tukur very believable in his portrayal of Rabe and fully supported by the rest of the cast including Steve Buscemi always effective . However in my view, the film lacks anything else to develop the field premium offered by the true story of the character.
In the first half of the film, the pace of the narrative becomes not what the story requires vigorous, and in the second half, despite offering some moments of high drama (eg when Rabe attends beheading of his driver), the story lacks the potential to move the viewer. In addition, it appears that the story deliberately takes too melodramatic tone, something that was not necessary as was already given by the true story, and in that sense the movie I thought it was a step below the sober narrative " City life and death. "Neither the parallel histories of secondary characters, despite being fully inserted into the plot, I ran to meet fully, because in the end it seems they are not fully developed.
In the first half of the film, the pace of the narrative becomes not what the story requires vigorous, and in the second half, despite offering some moments of high drama (eg when Rabe attends beheading of his driver), the story lacks the potential to move the viewer. In addition, it appears that the story deliberately takes too melodramatic tone, something that was not necessary as was already given by the true story, and in that sense the movie I thought it was a step below the sober narrative " City life and death. "Neither the parallel histories of secondary characters, despite being fully inserted into the plot, I ran to meet fully, because in the end it seems they are not fully developed.
In any case, despite the above aspects must be recognized that the film offers a very interesting account of human solidarity, and despite missing a major point of narrative pace, its careful formal invoice their good performances make it a title is not without interest, which serves as a good man deserved tribute that did his best to help others in a time of great danger. Recommended.
Rating: 6.5 / 10
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