Year: 2011
Runtime: 132 min
Language: Chinese
Director: Chuan Lu
During the Japanese Imperial Army's siege of Nanking in December 1937, unimaginable terror unfolded, resulting in the tragic loss of up to 300,000 lives within a span of six weeks. This film powerfully reimagines this dark period in modern Asian history, presenting a stark and unflinching portrayal of the events. Shot in striking black-and-white Cinemascope, it offers a cinematic exploration of the siege and its devastating consequences.
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City of Life and Death (2011) Plot Summary & Movie Recap
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