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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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'Good Nazi' Film Awakens Ugly Ghosts

Biopic sure to reopen old wounds between China, Japan

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(Newser) – A new film about a hero Nazi party member is threatening to stir old tensions between China and Japan, BBC reports. John Rabe relates the true story of a German businessman who saved thousands of Chinese from a Japanese massacre during the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937. China is still simmering over the atrocities, which some Japanese deny even occurred.

The film’s German director said he wanted to help Japan realize its responsibility in the war, “rather than trying to avoid it or make it disappear.” Producers hope the involvement of a popular Japanese star will get the film distribution in Japan. “Japanese people will find the 2 hours very hard” to watch, said the actor.

German director Florian Gallenberger arrives for the screening of the film
German director Florian Gallenberger arrives for the screening of the film "John Rabe" in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/Eckehard Schulz)
Thomas Rabe poses for a photo in front of a sculpture of his German grandfather John Rabe.
Thomas Rabe poses for a photo in front of a sculpture of his German grandfather John Rabe.   (Getty Images)
"John Rabe," a film about a member of the Nazi party who saved thousands of Chinese in 1937, recently opened in Germany.   (Getty Images)
"John Rabe," a film about a member of the Nazi party who saved thousands of Chinese in 1937, recently opened in Germany.   (plumento)
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The trailer for "The Good Nazi of Nanjing."   (NauticalFILMS)

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What you hear and see on all sides is the brutality and bestiality of the Japanese soldiery. A man cannot be silent about this kind of cruelty.
- From the dairy of John Rabe

After such a long time, there should be a way of dealing differently with the responsibility they have, rather than trying to avoid it or make it disappear. - Florian Gallenberger,
John Rabe director, on Japan

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3 comments
VIEWING:
 
jeebus
Mar 24, 09 5:41 PM CDT
The Japanese were every bit as bad as the Nazis during WWII. It's about time someone has the balls to point that out. Reply
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northeast
Mar 24, 09 6:58 PM CDT
If not worse...read up on the Nanjing massacre that made Rabe famous. That's still denied in Japanese schoolbooks, btw.
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Telecide
Mar 25, 09 7:22 AM CDT
The Japanese, and mankind in general, should be told the full story of what happened and learn from the past so that it is not repeated ever again. The bloodlust and disgusting evil that took place just shows how unevolved the human race really is. Reply
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