The Flowers of War is not a new movie, but I saw it yesterday. The film is based on the novel 13 Flowers of Nanjing, by Geling Yan. Moreover it has been inspired by real events that happened at the time of the Second Sino-Japanese War.
I stay away from war movies for obvious reason. Even if the movie is not graphic, the idea of how people suffer during war is just too much. I once read that every war is waged on the body of woman. And yes it’s very true how soldiers & men become beasts everywhere.
In this movie, almost everyone who was human make sacrifices to help out others. You will feel sick to your stomach how soldiers tried to rape these school girls in the house of Lord. 2 girls also died during this commotion. Then Colonel even promises to protect the girls by placing guards but he wanted the girls to perform for the officer when the war ends. However Yu Mo & other prostitutes decide to protect the girls by meeting the Japanese on their behalf.
It’s heart wrenching that people went through so much shit during this war or just about any war. These prostitutes sacrifice their lives to protect the girls. Since they needed 13 girls, the former convent priest's adopted son volunteers to go.
In the last scene, the truck is seen driving on a deserted highway in Western direction, away from the advancing Japanese army, towards safety. But you can’t help thinking about those 13 good people who made such a huge sacrifice. Your own shadow leaves you in the hour of darkness.
There is one particular rape scene in which those beasts were raping one after the other a prostitute who just went out with another prostitute to get strings for her instrument, so that she could play music for a dying boy. And they both met such a horrible end. There is also one Chinese soldier who did everything to protect these girls. It was damn impressive how he kills so many soldiers who were trying hard to rape the girls.
I think after Hachiko, this is another movie that makes one cry along with the actors in the movie. It’s too painful.
Oh and I loved Christian Bale in it! And that prostitute Yu Mo (played by Ni Ni) really had class.
But I couldn’t help thinking that good people make sacrifices but they get nothing in this world. Selfless people only suffer. Those who make sacrifices for others only suffer.
Anyhow, it’s a must watch. ‘The flowers of war’ is just the right name for the movie. It raises innumerable questions. It only takes a second & man transforms into a deadly monster. He forgets all values & stoops down so low that it makes one ashamed to admit the ugly fact that we belong to the same specie. They just go on raping women till they die. Humanity is surely dead wherever they commit such crimes. War is not enough. Even after the war, they want to rape & kill some more girls & women.
PS I just want to add that flowers are always beautiful...even flowers of wars. These prostitutes have proved it to the world.
PS I just want to add that flowers are always beautiful...even flowers of wars. These prostitutes have proved it to the world.
