Original subtitles

With air strikes,

shelling, and tanks,

Japanese army fiercely attacked Chinese defenders,

determined to occupy Nanjing.

Intense battles therefore occurred at five gates of the capital,

among which

the fighting outside Zhonghua Gate was the most ferocious.

Our forces held fast to the artillery positions atop Yuhuatai Hill,

mounting fierce resistance.

November, 1937. After the Battle of Shanghai, Japanese troops attack Nanjing. They aim to occupy Nanjing and force the Chinese government to surrender.

The enemy attacked the capital from multiple routes for days.

On the 12th the assault became even more intense.

Enemy aircraft conducted large-scale bombing of the city walls,

December 13, 1937. The Japanese invaders begin a six-week brutal massacre of innocent people in Nanjing.

providing cover for enemy ground forces' fierce attacks,

intending to break through and charge in.

The battle outside Guanghua Gate was particularly intense.

From early morning, more than 4,000 enemy troops

launched over ten fierce charges toward the city.

Our forces held defensive positions and repelled attacks.

Our air force also conducted aerial bombing of enemy positions.

- Uncle. - Our artillery added bombardment.

With their rear under attack,

the enemy retreated in panic.

We seized the opportunity to pursue them outside the city.

Enemy casualties were severe.

We also suffered heroic sacrifices.

Everyone embraced a resolve to fight to the death,

courageously resisting.

Take it off!

Quickly!

Take it off! Take it off!

Take it off now!

Gosh!

Take the child.

Take him.

Please take the kid.

Give a hand.

Daddy!

Daddy!

- Son! - Daddy!

Daddy!

You'll live if you get out of the city

Throw away all the mail bags!

Change your clothes before getting on the truck.

Change your clothes.

Change your clothes and get on.

Take off your clothes.

Come on, A-chang! Hurry, hurry!

Change your clothes and get on.

Look too much like a soldier in that.

A-chang! Hurry, hurry!

Where to go?

There's a postal steamboat waiting for us at Xiaguan Wharf.

A-chang! A-chang!

A-chang!

Is there a letter from my daughter?

- There's no time! - From Lu'an

Lu'an!

Come on! Come on!

A-chang!

Follow me.

Go.

Hurry!

District 2?

Yes, yes, District 2.

Laidao Street.

What's her name?

Sujun.

Found it?

Right.

It's my daughter's handwriting.

Yes.

A-chang, thank you.

Thank you, A-chang.

Sujun is fine.

She's safe over there.

Postmaster!

Wait...

Postmaster!

Wait for me!

A-chang!

There's no time!

See you at the wharf!

Wait for me!

Postmaster!

Postmaster!

Chinese soldiers and officers.

Nanjing Garrison Commander Tang Shengzhi

has abandoned you and fled.

All positions in Nanjing

have been occupied by the Imperial Japanese Army.

December 13, 1937. Zhonghua Gate, Nanjing

Lay down your weapons.

Surrender immediately.

The Imperial Army will abide by the Geneva Convention

and treat prisoners of war well.

Take this!

Go!

Brother!

Take this!

Take this!

Take this! Take this!

Charge!

Ready to fire! Fire!

Charge!

Damn Japanese devils!

Hello, friend.

I am a good citizen.

Long live Sino-Japanese friendship.

Yuxiu, let's go.

You go first. Don't worry about me.

- The Japanese are coming! - I'm not going.

Let's go!

The Japanese are coming and you still can't see death coming!

Let's go, let's go!

Let's go, sister!

Hurry, hurry!

Kuroshima.

Yes, sir.

Hasn't the photographer arrived yet?

He'll be here soon.

The sun is setting.

Too slow.

Sorry, sir.

Sorry to keep you both waiting.

13th Infantry Regiment,

photographer Lieutenant Ito Hideo

reporting for duty.

Form ranks!

Long live the Empire of Japan!

Banzai!

Yijiang Gate, Nanjing

Go back!

Back to the city!

No one passes!

We're retreating under General Tang's orders.

Let us through right now!

Anyone who dares to come forward

will be shot!

I'm a colonel.

You're just a lieutenant colonel trying to defy me?

Cunli!

Cunli!

Make way for me!

How dare you shoot at your own men!

Charge!

Charge!

Cunli!

Cunli!

One step forward means death!

Fire!

Cunli! Cunli!

The division commander ordered

We cannot let any defending troops

escape from here!

They're deserters.

Drive the deserters back into the city

to fight the Japanese!

This is an order!

Fire!

Kneel down!

Kneel down!

New recruits, listen up.

Come execute them.

Major,

killing prisoners of war violates military law.

Shut up!

Pick up your guns!

Yes.

Ready...

Chinese are pigs.

Don't think of them as human.

Raise your guns!

Fire!

Raise your guns and fire!

Worthless trash.

I'll demonstrate.

Photographer.

- Come here. - Yes, sir.

Here.

I want you to capture

the moment when the bullet

penetrates the Chinese pig.

Bullets are too fast.

The camera can hardly catch it.

Let me change the film.

I haven't taken the shot yet.

Idiot!

All of you, raise your guns.

Prepare to fire!

Report.

The light really isn't enough.

The film sensitivity is too low.

You idiot!

Do you know who he is?

Can a peasant like you afford to offend him?

I'm sorry.

I'll immediately request high-sensitivity film

and guarantee to capture the effect Major Kuroshima needs next time.

Ito.

When will the siege photos be published?

The photo development supplies are used up.

New equipment is still in transit.

How about sending the negatives to Shanghai?

The military postal service is currently chaotic.

These negatives are precious. If they get lost,

the photos can never be recovered.

Resolve this matter in Nanjing as soon as possible.

The entry ceremony is in a few days.

General Matsui will attend in person.

I'll arrange for you to photograph him.

I understand.

Thank you very much.

Uncle.

Auntie.

He has puttees.

Chinese soldier!

Don't run!

Whoever kills him first

gets the sake.

Daddy. Daddy.

Excellent.

Not bad at all.

Excellent.

Excellent.

This is what a warrior should look like.

Majestic and fierce.

You got scared?

Are you okay?

Just putting on a show.

It's like making a movie.

Don't cry.

Here.

Thank you.

Mr. Inoue,

can you arrange for my wife and child to leave now?

"SAFE CONDUCT PASS"

Thank you.

Come here.

Bow.

Thank you.

Wait.

There will be an entry ceremony in a few days.

We must dress neatly.

Have your wife

bring a few women

to stay and do laundry.

For Sino-Japanese friendship, we'll do.

Thank you.

You find some of your sisters to handle this.

Sir?

Could I apply for one more travel pass?

Your family has three people.

Three passes.

Who else needs one more?

I...

have a cousin.

Step back.

Don't run! Stop!

Who are you?

What are you doing?

Hey!

This is our jurisdiction.

All of you go back and await orders.

Yes, sir.

His hair is long.

He doesn't look like a soldier.

If you only press the shutter

but have never pulled a trigger,

you have no right to call yourself a soldier.

"Lucky Photo Studio"

Does he work at this photo studio?

The officer asks

if you work at the photo studio.

Can you develop photos?

The officer asks

if you can develop photos.

This man can develop photos.

He's exactly what I need right now.

Give me the gun!

Stop!

Lieutenant Ito needs to develop and send the photos back to headquarters.

This concerns our unit's honor.

Have him take me to the photo studio.

Hurry up.

Stop!

Stop right there! Where are you going?

Guanghai,

help me!

Guanghai,

help me!

Help!

Guanghai, help me!

Guanghai,

"Lucky Photo Studio"

What are you standing there for?

Pour some water for the officer.

You're an apprentice?

Yes.

Where's the boss?

The boss

ran away.

What's his surname?

Wu.

"Staff Attendance Record"

Why didn't you run?

Tried but failed.

Kong Xiandong.

Chen Fulu.

Liu Asi.

Chen Yongtai.

That's me.

Just call me A-tai.

Take me to the darkroom.

Where's the darkroom?

The officer wants to see the equipment.

This way.

Made in Germany.

First time seeing this.

Have him demonstrate it for me.

Sir,

the officers' meeting photography arranged by Colonel Inoue

is today, right?

Ask him how long it takes to develop this roll.

The officer asks how long it takes to develop.

I can't say for sure.

He says it needs two days.

One day.

I'll come check tomorrow evening.

Have it developed by tomorrow afternoon.

Otherwise, how you crawled out of the pile of corpses

is how you'll crawl back in.

"Don't kill this guy" My name is Ito Hideo.

If Japanese soldiers come,

show them this.

What he's written is your life-saver.

Aren't you going to thank him?

Bow.

Ninety degrees.

"Within two days"

Develop them quickly.

They're gone.

You...

Come!

The Japanese just came.

Who is he?

He is...

Feed the baby first.

Men, raise your hands.

Women and children, form a line.

Hey, you...

You come with me.

Come out!

Move!

Stand right here.

I'm a monk.

Amitabha Buddha.

I'm a monk.

Your hands have such thick calluses.

This hand has definitely fired guns.

Your shoulder has marks from rubbing.

You've carried rifles.

And this mark on your forehead

matches this cap perfectly.

You're definitely a soldier.

Point out the others and you won't have to die.

I really am a monk.

Which of you are soldiers?

Step forward quickly and you won't have to die.

Soldiers, step forward.

Stop!

Those who run are all soldiers.

Catch them.

Don't let them escape.

Get off me!

Come out now!

Stay put!

Let's take a photo.

- A photo? - Yes.

A bit more to the left.

- Okay. - That's good.

- Like this? - Ready...

Did you get it?

Got it.

Let's take another one.

Another one.

Right there.

Sounds wonderful. Sing louder.

Hey, woman,

sing while taking off your clothes.

You have to strip while singing, right?

What's going on?

What's going on?

I'm on your side, on your side.

Who are you?

Reporting, sir.

I'm here to deliver newsreels for the Imperial Army.

It's Ito Hideo's errand.

Go screen it now.

Yes, sir.

Still no sound.

Ready the infantry song.

Ready...

Are you okay?

What do you think?

You think I'm okay?

Almost scared to death, alright?

They like hearing you sing opera.

Just sing opera well and there'll be no problem.

What about Fenghua?

Hasn't she got a problem?

That's because she was stupid and insisted on running out.

You just stay in the theater and sing opera well.

The Japanese treat you like an artist.

No, if you run out to be a commoner,

they'll treat you like pigs and dogs.

Staying here?

I'm about to starve to death, alright?

Come on.

Where's my travel pass?

Give me now.

Wait a couple of days.

I'll go butter up the officer.

The soldiers have all fled or surrendered.

Once the Japanese take charge of Nanjing,

our good days will come.

You can sing opera. I can speak Japanese.

There'll be plenty of opportunities in the future.

When the Japanese are in charge,

will they treat Chinese people as human beings?

Of course they will.

They've always been polite to me.

They even gave me pastries.

So...

they're polite to your wife and son too, aren't they?

If you want to eat, then eat, alright?

Don't sit there.

That's the movie I acted in, alright?

Just an extra, just a...

Extras aren't actors too?

Are you so afraid of death now?

That's a rat.

What's the panic?

We had over ten translators

and half got killed mysteriously.

You think I'm afraid of the Japanese?

I'm afraid of the Chinese.

It's you.

What do I call you?

Su Liuchang.

Postman No. 1213, Group 2, District 1.

What if we get spotted?

There's still a waterway to leave at Xiaguan.

You should run too.

The kids are so young.

How can we run with a whole family?

There are many families with kids.

The roosters at Crowing Temple don't crow.

And the Lake of No Sorrow has even more sorrow.

Where can we run to?

Isn't hiding here our best chance to survive?

Young man.

Young man,

let me discuss something with you.

If you can make our whole family safe,

I'll have my husband teach you

all the skills of taking and developing photos,

and give you half the photo studio business later.

The Japanese have taken all of Nanjing.

What do I need business for?

Don't the Japanese take photos?

Who doesn't take photos?

From when cameras were invented until today,

this business has never stopped.

Ungrateful.

Don't cry, don't cry.

Get inside.

You can't leave.

If you leave and the Japanese come back tomorrow,

what about us?

The Japanese want the photos.

You just develop them for them.

Bullshit.

He's never even seen me.

Tell him the truth.

You're the owner of the studio.

If you go, give me the note.

This is for me!

Ready...

Fire!

Go.

Over here!

Sir.

Sir.

Sir.

No way to run.

Both exits are blocked.

This craft isn't so difficult.

I'll teach you.

We don't have much time,

so just memorize it.

My surname is Jin.

Call me Lao Jin.

They were from China's Spring and Autumn period...

Boya and Zhong Ziqi.

Boya was skilled at playing, Ziqi at appreciating.

One piece called "High Mountains and Flowing Water"

made them a legendary example for all time.

I didn't expect you to be so interested in Chinese culture.

My grandfather was a veteran of the First Sino-Japanese War.

His regret was not making it into the capital of China.

But we've achieved that now.

Where are the developed photos?

Are the photos developed?

The officer wants to see them.

It hasn't even been a day yet.

Very good.

Then...

develop another one in front of me.

In front of the officer,

develop another one.

Photo developing

has three steps: developing, stop bath, and fixing.

It's basically turning the latent image on the negative

into a visible image.

But the entire process must be done in complete darkness.

Once exposed to light, the negative is ruined.

What's a latent image?

Don't worry about that.

Just memorize.

Getting the chemical ratios right is what matters.

First put the negative

into this.

That handle in front...

turn it twenty times.

This is the developer.

Twenty-degree warm water.

Soak the negative in it for fifteen minutes.

Take it out and rinse it clean.

Then use stop bath and fixer.

I've mixed the chemicals from powder.

One to six in summer.

One to eight in winter.

The fixer has acid in it.

If it gets on your skin, it'll burn right through.

You must be careful.

After each step, remember to rinse thoroughly.

If any chemicals get on the photo paper,

it's ruined.

The enlarger.

This is called a lens.

Very expensive.

The photo paper's glossy side is front,

matte side is back.

This is the contact frame.

Put the developed negative inside,

then clip on the photo paper.

For same-size prints, use the contact printing method.

Put the negative's concave side against the photo paper,

convex side against the glass.

Close it.

Then,

using the same technique as developing film,

develop for two minutes first.

After rinsing clean,

then fix it.

Two minutes...

how do you time it?

City gate, city gate, how many yards high?

Thirty-six yards reaching the sky.

Horse with flowers,

sword held high,

at your door I'm passing by,

asking you, orange or banana, which to try?

Sing it six times.

Horse with flowers...

What are you doing?

Close the door. Light ruins everything.

It's fine.

These Chinese people's photos don't matter.

We are...

friends.

Keep going,

my friend.

All thanks to him.

Stand up!

Cheers!

Ito.

Come on!

Come on!

It's such a good opportunity.

Let's take a photo together.

General Matsui,

let's take a photo together.

Okay.

Tani Hisao Lieutenant General, Imperial Japanese Army

Matsui Iwane General, Imperial Japanese Army

Over here, please.

Murder,

arson, rape...

has military discipline deteriorated to this extent?

What about Japan's

international reputation?

Don't worry.

I'll handle this matter properly.

China is so vast.

Victory alone isn't enough.

We must destroy the Chinese to rule the Chinese.

Don't stop the soldiers.

But he mentioned Japan's international reputation...

that must be handled properly.

The food these Japanese eat is so cold.

Ito said we're eating officers' meals.

Regular soldiers don't get such variety.

You got the order of fixer and stop bath backwards.

Remember,

the fixer has this acid smell.

It stings your nose.

Move away, move away!

Good thing these are practice scraps.

What if these were the Japanese photos?

What would you do then?

Pay attention.

You're not just developing photos now.

You're developing lives, all five of our lives.

You understand?

Confucius Temple.

Nothing special.

Just take one shot from a distance.

Everyone,

let's take a photo here.

Good. Just like that.

Linggu Pagoda

Purple Mountain Observatory

Isn't this the photographer?

Come over here!

Lieutenant Mukai.

Lieutenant Noda.

Photographer from the 13th Regiment, 6th Division...

Ito...

Ito Hideo.

I've heard so much about you both.

Let me take a photo of you.

Wouldn't holding a severed head be more impressive?

The loser still has so much to ask.

The contest isn't over yet.

- One more shot. - Let's raise our target...

see who gets 150 kills first.

Sino-Japanese friendship.

Wonderful.

His Majesty's holy realm.

What's that smell?

Lao Jin.

Silence.

- They're coming down. - Come on!

Hide.

There's no toilet in the studio.

And I'm too scared to go outside.

Had to do it in the cellar.

Chinese people are unsanitary,

relieving themselves at home.

Let's leave now.

I don't know how you sleep in here.

Help me finish my work in Nanjing,

and I'll give you a pass to leave Nanjing.

A-tai.

Didn't you have something to say to the officer?

Just say a few words to me.

Say what?

You're not an apprentice here,

and your name isn't A-tai,

right?

My name really is A-tai.

Alright, that's enough.

Sir,

he says he actually needs two passes.

Two?

Yes.

He also has a wife...

she's an actress

trapped at the Da'an Theater.

Jin Chengzong.

Didn't you say the owner is a Wu?

Chen Yongtai,

eighteen years old,

from Nantong, Jiangsu.

You have a northern accent.

You're not A-tai.

When she comes out,

take her straight to the studio

and say she's your wife.

Two passes

to leave Nanjing together.

You've betrayed the country

and can't even get two more passes?

First, I'm a translator,

not a traitor.

Second,

having her stay with my wife

would be scarier than war.

Help your wife get her luggage.

Didn't you promise to send me to Shanghai?

Be patient.

Who is he?

Your husband.

For these days,

dress plainly.

So heavy... why bring this?

What do you know?

Film reels are my life.

We agreed...

I'm only staying here three days.

Don't worry,

the passes will be ready soon.

You're playing my husband?

Yes.

You're friends with the Japanese?

No.

Nonsense.

We're all friends of the Japanese. Remember it.

Friends.

Sir.

A-tai's wife is here.

It stinks.

Like a dog kennel or pig pen.

Sir.

Thank you.

Thank you for taking care of A-tai.

- First time... - Shut up.

His wife doesn't speak Japanese.

What are you guys talking about?

She says

she'll serve the Imperial Army well to repay your kindness.

The studio is a safe place for now.

"IMPERIAL JAPANESE ARMY SAFETY GUARANTEE" No one will come to inspect except me.

These film rolls all need to be developed quickly.

This roll is especially important...

needs to be enlarged.

What's in here?

Film...

movie film.

A-tai's wife acted in it.

Sir,

movies are meant to be watched in theaters.

You can't see anything looking at them like this.

After the war ends,

I want to make movies too.

There are other people in the house, right?

No.

No?

There are six chopstick holders in the cabinet

but the chopsticks and bowls are missing.

No one would take these things when fleeing.

Where are the others?

Where are they hiding?

No one else.

It's just me.

You don't need to be afraid of me.

I'm different from him.

Besides,

I even saved a soldier.

The Japs are searching everywhere for soldiers.

Bringing him in will get us all in trouble.

Keep it down, will you? Stop making a fuss.

If you throw me out

and I get caught,

none of you will get away.

There's no address written on you.

Nobody knows where you escaped from.

He's just missing an ear.

His tongue's still there.

Don't be scared.

He's KMT Army.

Fighting against the Japs.

How many Japanese have you killed?

Lots.

The battlefield was chaos.

I know nothing but shooting at them.

Shoot and run, shoot and run.

Can't count them all.

Anyone who dares to shoot at the Japanese

is great.

Here,

brother.

Take this.

Here.

Eat.

My daughter told me

you got injured.

Eat more to heal up.

I know

you look down on my background.

It's fine.

You'll be my sister from now on.

Sister.

Take these.

It's not much.

Let me, let me.

Wait.

I can give you food,

but that bed up there...

you can't sleep in.

Thank you.

Thank you.

So comfortable.

She huddles in the cellar all day

and still wants to boss me around?

Something's wrong with her head.

I thought you meant it just now.

I'm an actress, okay?

Can't I handle this little act?

A-tai,

Do you like movies?

Close the door.

Film can't be exposed to light.

Such a fuss.

I've been filmed so many times.

I know better than you.

Which star do you like?

Ruan Lingyu?

Zhou Xuan?

Zhao Dan?

Hu Die?

I know Hu Die...

the one in "Fate in Tears and Laughter."

Really?

I acted with Hu Die.

Really.

Look.

See?

This is me and Hu Die.

Come here.

This is Hu Die.

And this is me.

See?

I see.

Just a small role.

Can you develop this photo for me?

And enlarge it.

December 17, 1937. Zhongshan Gate, Nanjing The Japanese Army's Nanjing Entry Ceremony

When it comes to developing photos,

in all of Nanjing,

if I say I'm second,

nobody dares claim first.

Every extra day doing this

is one more day of safety.

When it comes to stalling,

in all of Nanjing, if I say I'm second,

nobody dares claim first either.

There are plenty of excuses.

No photo paper,

no chemicals,

temperature too low,

water not warm enough.

What's wrong?

Got tuberculosis?

Tell him I'm sick.

"Not allowed"

My father says

in the Battle of Shanghai there was the Central Army,

Northeast Army,

Northwest Army,

armies from Hunan, Hubei, Sichuan, Guizhou, and Guangdong,

and many, many more.

What army are you from?

I'm not from any army.

I'm a policeman.

A policeman?

I was a patrol officer in District 2.

The troops were short of men,

so they grabbed me and my brother to fill the ranks.

We got mixed in with the miscellaneous Shanghai troops.

You're still brave.

"King of a Fallen Nation"

Mom.

Mom.

Hey everyone,

come look!

Our 13th Regiment

made it into the Asahi Shimbun!

Fantastic!

Thanks to Lieutenant Ito.

Thanks.

Thanks to Lieutenant Ito.

Lieutenant Ito.

Banzai!

One, two, three!

Put me down!

We Japanese

are willing to treat Chinese as friends.

But they don't appreciate it.

They refuse to be friends with us.

So we have no choice.

But we are friends,

right, A-tai?

Say yes.

Yes.

I gave you safety

and helped you apply for passes.

I've treated you so well.

But how have you treated me?

The photos are all blurry

and getting slower and slower.

Why are you getting so slow in developing

and why so blurry?

Those are photos of high officials.

The photo paper is all expired.

The developing chemicals aren't enough... diluted too many times.

The enlarger lens

was cracked during the bombing.

He says the photo paper

is all expired,

and the chemicals

are almost used up.

Get ready quickly.

A-tai,

I hope you understand...

I'm helping you as a friend.

I

work for Japanese military photographer

I work for Japanese

military photographer

I work for Japanese military photographer

Ito Hideo.

The shops have all been looted.

Look for anything to eat or use.

Found it.

Photo paper...

delivered to Qinhuai Photo Studio.

Hey!

Hey! Chinese stealing!

Theft is punishable by death!

Thief! Catch him!

Come here! Don't move! Shut up!

I work for Japanese military photographer

- I work for Japanese military photographer... - Thieves deserve to die!

Ito...

Ito-Ito Hideo...

Ito...

Stop!

He's not a soldier... he's a civilian!

You can't harm civilians!

This is against international law!

I'm American!

Shut up!

He's awake.

This is the safety zone hospital.

You're out of life danger.

Piss off! Move back!

Don't go in! Don't go in!

Put me down! Put me down!

This is a hospital.

Search!

Soldier.

Move back! Move back!

Hurry up! Don't fight!

Move away!

Stop! Stop!

This is a hospital... you can't come in here!

Everyone here is military, right?

No, no.

You bastards!

I'm ordered to take 50 people.

Take them where?

We opened

a makeshift hospital

that has better conditions than here.

Plenty of doctors, nurses, medicine,

and vaccinations.

Look familiar.

Are you Ito's guy?

You come with me.

No, no, no!

That's my private property.

- Give it here! - My camera...

- Give it here! - No!

Shut up!

God damn you!

From now on,

don't leave

the studio.

Do you understand?

Oh please! For the love of god!

Isn't this Ito?

This is

German-made high-sensitivity film.

You can't do this.

I'm just a teacher, not a journalist.

Do you understand?

This is protected by the Geneva Convention!

With these,

the scenes you want to photograph can be realized.

He'll develop them.

Is he the only photo studio in all of Nanjing?

There are several photo studios,

but they've all been requisitioned by other photographers.

He works exclusively for me alone.

I need him.

This is

Miss Li from the telegraph office.

The shopkeeper from Number 8 Willow Lane.

This is

Mr. Jiang from 37 Guang'an Street.

During these days in the studio,

outside has already become like this.

The Japanese are raping everywhere...

they don't even spare children.

We can't develop these photos anymore.

If we don't,

we'll end up like the people

in the photos.

If we develop them, we're traitors.

We can't leave a bad name forever.

There's a way.

Eastern contestant,

Ozeki Ryu.

Step forward!

Not allowed.

Not allowed.

All of them are not allowed.

Contestants ready.

Ito, sit down.

Begin!

These are all photos the Colonel wanted taken.

I shot all of these.

Why are they suddenly not allowed now?

To erode the Chinese people's will to resist and international opinion.

Won't this boost Imperial Army morale

and intimidate the enemy?

If

the Chinese

don't accept our goodwill and continue to resist,

then these photos will be very helpful.

This is propaganda's important role in war.

The match is decided.

I understand.

Come in.

I come to boil some water.

You can't touch it now... put it back.

This is my brother.

This is my brother.

This is my brother.

What are you doing?

This is my only brother.

This is my only brother.

This is my only brother.

You damn traitor!

- Making photos for the Japs! - I'm not a traitor!

This is my brother.

Don't do this!

Stop it! Stop it!

Stop it!

Is anyone there?

Go, go, go.

Go down.

Anyone here?

Guanghai asked me to give this to you.

He specifically said tomorrow morning at eight o'clock,

change into decent clothes,

and have the lady put on nice makeup.

A truck will come to pick you up then.

Thank you.

Halt!

Carry them away!

- Put them here, put them here! - Hurry up, hurry up!

Drive forward.

Drive forward.

Impressive.

Line up the queue properly.

Get the queue in order... what does this look like?

Hurry up!

When the camera is on you,

all of you smile, understand?

Keep your heads clear.

Just act like normal.

Calm the baby a bit, okay?

If there's no milk, give some water.

Dad

What are you coming out for?

Go back and take the photo.

Stand in the middle, stand in the middle.

Link arms together.

Expression...

Smile, okay?

You're an actress... teach him.

Smile

Tell him to stop crying!

Stop crying.

The noise is annoying.

Give it to me.

- Give it! - Don't touch my baby!

I said give it to me... stop nagging!

Don't touch my baby!

Huahua

My baby!

Huahua

Huahua

Hey!

How am I supposed to shoot with all these?

Huahua

Weren't you the one

who said to shut the baby up?

What's going on?

Get up.

Everyone get up.

Smile when you're supposed to, got it?

You all get up. Get up.

Everyone get up for photos.

What's this look like?

Keep smiling. Did you hear me?

- Deal with this for me. - Sorry, sir.

The baby just fainted... perfect timing.

Let's shoot now while we can... shoot first.

A-tai

Have your wife hold the baby.

Come

Hold.

Hold.

There's a bit of blood... wipe it off.

Cover it up and shoot.

Smile.

Such a lovely baby

was killed by the Japanese.

Blacked out.

Blacked out?

There's no breath.

He was in my arms... who knew better than me?

No movement at all.

He's dead.

Nanjing is like this now.

How many more days can we survive?

That translator's wife

washes clothes for the Japanese.

They're all stained with Chinese blood.

Once the clothes are clean,

maybe no one will know.

But us

If we develop these photos,

they'll be published

and preserved.

What we're doing can't be washed clean.

If we don't do it, we'll die immediately.

Who isn't afraid of death?

Right.

I'm afraid too.

I only survived by playing dead.

I see those foreigners

are all trying to get these photos out.

We Chinese

must find a way too.

The question is

which of us can get out alive?

Hmm.

This one's not bad either.

The whole world will see Nanjing's glory,

see the good relationship between the Imperial Army and civilians,

and acknowledge the legitimacy of this campaign.

Yes.

Especially this photo of mother and baby

reminds me of my wife and daughter back in Tokyo.

Why do we rely on Chinese people?

Why don't we develop them ourselves?

Colonel,

actually,

I don't know how to develop photos.

When I was young,

we had a camera at home.

I always used it as a toy.

The servants would take them out to be developed.

After the war started,

father required me to enlist to continue the family honor.

Mother was worried

So she had me become a war photographer.

I'm ashamed to say.

However,

thanks to his help,

my photos get published first.

And then, Ito?

Did you become friends with him?

So these photos not allowed

were also developed by him?

It looks like a sea of blood, so colorful.

If only I had color film,

what a stunning photograph that would be.

Be gentle.

These are all very important developing equipment.

Reporting, sir.

I'm here to escort you.

Welcome.

Welcome.

Welcome.

Fenghua.

Welcome.

Reporting, sir.

This is Lieutenant Ito.

Reporting to you, sir.

My name is Ikeda Nagatomo.

I've brought all the printing machines.

They're all the best.

I'm also the best.

To assist Lieutenant Ito

is my honor.

Dad.

Lieutenant Ito,

have you heard of the Hakko Ichiu Tower?

No.

What is that?

The HQ is collecting various bricks from occupied territories

to build a memorial tower showcasing the Imperial Army's glorious history.

White marble from Beijing's Forbidden City,

bricks from the Great Wall at Badaling,

embankment stones from Shanghai's Suzhou Creek...

all have been shipped back to Japan.

I've also been ordered to bring back a wall brick from Nanjing this time.

This is the place.

Yes.

Sir, equipment assembly complete.

Begin.

Yes.

Excellent.

- Please continue. - Yes.

A-tai,

the HQ requests

your wife's presence.

A Japanese who knows how to develop photos has come

to replace me.

An expert.

This is an expert.

An expert.

These are Japanese properties...

tampering with them will cost your life.

If he replaces you,

we lose our lives just the same.

- Lao Jin! - What are you doing up here? Get down!

Sergeant Song is missing.

So Ito's photograph

was taken here.

Sir,

may we go to the restroom

and get something to eat?

Go ahead.

This is quite heavy.

Hey!

Oh no!

Come on.

Thank you all for saving me.

My younger brother Cunli died at the hands of the Japanese.

I have no more attachments.

Therefore, I have resolved to sacrifice myself

and fight the enemy to the death,

hoping to bring peace to this place.

If I don't succeed,

I shall die with honor.

Such a death would be meaningful indeed.

Pick up the gun.

Get me the gun.

We will win this war.

Long live China!

Song Cunyi.

Sergeant Song told me

the counterattack troops

will land at Xiaguan Wharf

and fight all the way to Gongyuan Gate,

driving away all the Japanese devils.

I wonder when they'll be able to fight their way back.

Bastard!

Why didn't you protect Lieutenant Ikeda?

Why didn't you pick up the gun?

I'm just a translator.

A coward who's afraid of guns

and even more afraid to kill.

They've been polite to me

and even gave me pastries.

Where did you go?

To sing opera for the Japanese.

Sergeant Song is gone.

Got it.

Take it off and sing.

It's better with it off, right?

Take it off!

What's going on?

I'm on your side.

Celebration of Nanjing Capture:

Brilliant is the rising sun flag over the Nanjing City.

The scenery south of the Yangtze grows ever more serene.

A million brave warriors with solemn banners...

Move forward!

Behold the imperial might illuminating all corners of the world.

Matsui Iwane.

Guanghai!

Dad!

Guanghai!

Dad! Dad!

Move forward!

Sino-Japanese friendship.

Reporting, sir.

Ready.

Move it!

Come on.

Everyone,

face toward Tokyo

and salute!

Let our fallen comrades rest in peace.

Fire!

Only collect Ikeda's personal belongings.

Don't touch any of the developing equipment.

Are you out of your mind?

I've been slaving away for the Japanese to get you a pass

and you hid a soldier behind my back?

- I didn't. - Keep acting!

You're willing to risk your life just to put on a show of righteousness.

That soldier is stupid.

You stupid too?

What kind of hero dies for nothing?

Do you know how many people die every day?

That guy outside is only alive now because I saved him.

I'm the hero here!

Let me tell you something...

this war will be over soon.

The Japanese will be in charge, and everyone will be happy.

You only need to do one thing...

stay alive.

I've learned it.

It's not that difficult.

Replace all the rest.

Change all the photos on the wall.

I have something for you.

These

are all photos of Nanjing scenery that you took.

I printed a set for you.

Thank you.

This is what I plan

to give my father as a New Year's gift.

Could you tell me

the places?

Help me verify them.

I want to mark them on the photos.

Thank you.

A gentleman's word is his bond.

I promised you this.

This gets you out of Nanjing City, right?

What if you run into Japanese soldiers?

It has a high official's seal on it.

Japanese soldiers won't dare mess with you.

This photo isn't stuck on well... anyone's photo will work.

Then use ink to touch up the seal.

Whoever it belongs to, it belongs to.

You should leave early.

If we leave,

what about you?

We'll keep hiding like this.

Wasn't it the same before?

Just pretend you two were never here.

Tell me,

could we make a few more of these?

If we make them,

then all of us could leave, right?

Quit the fantasy.

These all have serial numbers.

If the Japanese find out, they'll shoot you on the spot.

Lao Jin,

without your help, we wouldn't have survived until today.

And Yuxiu...

without her, there wouldn't be a second pass.

Don't talk about this.

If you hadn't come, we'd have nothing to eat or drink.

Alright.

Yuxiu will leave.

This pass of mine...

your family can pick one.

Oh, no.

We can't do this.

Alright.

We've all been through life and death together,

shared hardships.

Let's draw lots to decide.

Girl.

What are you doing?

Come on.

A-chang.

Go.

You take the girl and leave first.

What about you and your son?

It doesn't matter.

Our second kid is quite close to me.

You women go first.

The two of us will find another chance to meet you.

You take... you take your daughter to leave.

It's decided.

Enough.

Just follow the map.

Where's the pass?

It's with you, isn't it?

Which one do you think looks good?

Can I take them all?

Don't take qipao.

After the war, you gotta wear kimono.

I don't want to.

This was made by the best Hong Bang tailor shop in Shanghai.

These trivial belongings

bring you no help!

I've told you these are nothing.

How many times have I told you?

Wang Guanghai,

do we have a future?

I've told you lots of times.

Right?

I've made so many contributions,

and the Japanese love hearing you sing.

We'll have plenty of opportunities in the future.

That's not what I mean.

I'm asking

whether we

have a future together.

Right now

times are hard.

I can't even get a divorce.

After the war ends...

After the war ends?

will our future definitely be good?

Lin Yuxiu,

what exactly do you mean?

What if the Japanese lose?

How could the Japanese lose?

They won the last war in 1894

and occupied Taiwan.

In 1900, the Eight-Nation Alliance marched into the Forbidden City.

We're still paying reparations from that.

Six years ago they took the Northeast.

This year Peiping and Shanghai both fell.

Look at Nanjing...

defended for so many days and still fell.

Can we stop them?

We can't.

Chinese people are just like scattered sand...

never united.

Soldiers with different dialects

can't even understand each other... how to fight together?

How could the Japanese lose?

But what if?

I'm saying,

what if the Japanese really do lose?

If the Japanese lose,

then you'll be called a traitor.

And I'll be a traitor's wife.

I've been learning opera since I was little.

I play heroines like

Mu Guiying,

and Liang Hongyu.

I...

I understand.

If I become the traitor Qin Hui's wife,

I'd die more miserably than now, wouldn't I?

Stop living in the drama, will you?

Open the door and look outside.

Go and see!

Everyone's dead, who's left to fight the Japanese?

How could the Japanese lose?

Calling me a traitor?

Whoever survives to the end calls the shots.

Whoever wins calls the shots.

The Japanese are beasts.

Even if they win,

will they treat us as human beings?

And what about us?

Do we count as human?

Lin Yuxiu,

you've gone mad.

Go to sleep.

Cut it.

This one of mine

isn't that good,

but it's real jadeite.

After I leave, please take care

of my son and Lao Jin.

I'll accept your kindness then.

Come with me.

Give me your hand.

So much food...

why didn't you bring it out earlier?

When I heard there was gonna be war,

I kept making flatbread.

When you're fleeing, you can't carry flour,

but these flatbreads will keep for long.

So even when I was starving,

I couldn't bring myself to eat them.

Even if the Japanese stop bringing food,

you won't go hungry.

Thank you,

sister.

No, I should thank you.

Dad,

if we'd just run back then,

we wouldn't have had to split up, right?

Dad,

when will you come find me and Mom?

After New Year.

What month?

January.

What date in January?

Who knows what date? I said after New Year.

It means January.

It means January.

Lao Jin,

take good care of our son and yourself.

Come find me and our daughter soon, you hear?

Stop crying.

Come find us soon, you hear me?

I know.

There aren't many people outside now.

How about

we take a photo together?

Alright.

If only you'd cut your hair later.

About to shoot.

Smile.

Don't move.

Not enough light.

Slow shutter needs twenty seconds.

Ready...

Good.

City gate, city gate, how many yards high?

Thirty-six yards reaching the sky.

Horse with flowers,

sword held high,

at your door I'm passing by,

asking you, orange or banana,

which to try?

Mom,

I've even been to Hangzhou once.

Little brother's never been anywhere.

After we drive out the Japanese,

wherever you and your brother wanna go,

Mom and Dad will take you there,

okay?

Alright.

Dad can't do much else,

but today I'll let you

travel a thousand miles in a day.

Peiping's Forbidden City.

Tianjin's Quanye Mall.

West Lake's Willow Waves and Oriole Songs.

Shanghai's City God Temple.

Wuhan's Yellow Crane Tower.

The Great Wall.

Dad taught you...

what do we call these?

Our beautiful motherland.

Not one inch less.

Not one inch less.

Hold it.

Raise it higher.

This way.

Where?

Sir, we have passes!

Move it! I said move it!

Where are we going?

Protecting that man's life...

that is

benevolence.

Mama! Mama!

Hanging a protection sign

at the photo studio...

that is righteousness.

Providing them with food and medicine...

that is propriety.

She's just a child!

Using others to kill for you...

that is wisdom.

If these guys with the numbers show up,

kill them immediately.

Yes, sir.

Keeping your promise

and giving them passes...

that is trustworthiness.

My understanding

is correct, isn't it?

Yes,

absolutely correct.

Let go of my daughter!

Let go...

Let go...

Let go...

Why aren't you leaving yet?

Hurry up and go. Pack up the stuff first.

Come on.

You need qipaos?

Take all of them.

Cut a section of film with you in it.

Leave the rest behind.

This war...

win or lose,

I'm definitely gonna marry you in the end.

Even if the Japanese lose,

I've already figured out my way out.

I'll hand over

all their intelligence

to save my own skin.

Take the pass and let's go.

I gave the pass to someone else.

What do you mean?

I gave the pass to someone else.

Who are they?

Come out!

Who's the woman with the two passes?

Who's the woman with the two passes?

Who is she?

Gentlemen of the Sixth Division,

in the coming year of Showa 13,

for His Majesty, we shall expand our territory for thousands of miles,

and let the might of our Great Japanese Empire

be felt in all directions!

I treated you

as a friend.

I trusted you.

I trusted you.

Tie him up.

Not this.

My negatives.

Where are my negatives?

Where are my negatives?

Where are my negatives?

Where are my negatives?

Major Kuroshima,

do whatever you want with this woman.

Ito,

you finally learned to be flexible.

Please don't do this.

Get lost.

Wang Guanghai!

Wang Guanghai!

Wang Guanghai!

Guanghai!

Come with me. Come with me.

Sir.

No, sir. Please don't.

Aren't we friends?

Friends. Friends.

Friends.

Friends?

You're a dog.

This is what happens when a dog bites its master.

Well done.

As a soldier, this is how it should be.

Come in with me.

Come on.

He's already dead.

Alright, get up.

Don't try anything. Come on!

Don't move!

Anyone there?

Inoue,

Happy New Year.

I'm willing to follow you always.

Where are they?

Where are the negatives?

Where?

The negatives...

where are they?

Over here.

Ito...

Where's Ito?

Kept talking about seizing the photo opportunities.

Where is he when it matters?

His wife and kid's.

Change them, come on.

If we use theirs,

what about his wife and son?

The whole family's been working for the Japanese.

He already asked someone to look after them.

They'll be fine, right?

Lao Jin,

find a photo of yourself.

Thanks to you two,

my wife and daughter could escape.

Could you

take my son with you too?

If the Japanese

see me like this,

I won't make it out.

You and Yuxiu take the kid and go first.

I'll hide and live on the flatbread your wife made for a couple days.

Can't we go together?

You said you'd pass the photo studio to me.

Now you can't bear to leave it?

Master.

Go.

Mix some aspirin into the milk powder for the little one.

It'll help him sleep well.

Hurry up and go!

That Japanese guy...

is he really dead?

I'll kill you!

You liar!

I'll kill you!

Die!

I'll kill you!

Ito!

The negatives are right here!

Stop!

Stop!

A-chang!

- A-chang! - Go!

Hurry up and go!

What about you?

Take the kid and go!

- It'll be too late if you don't! - Let's go together!

Go!

Together!

Let's go together!

- Go! - A-chang!

- A-chang! - Go! Go!

A-chang!

What's that?

Fire! Fire!

Fire!

Check finished. Nothing unusual.

Hey!

Don't stop. Keep going. Go.

Wait!

Stop!

This is for my son.

What are you doing?

Lao Jin!

My baby!

Come with me, Lao Jin!

Lao Jin!

- Come together! Lao Jin! - Go!

Stop!

Tell my son

his father was a photographer.

I am a photographer!

I am a photographer!

Look.

It's New Year.

Let me take a photo for you.

Hands up!

Don't move!

You bastards!

You've turned Nanjing into hell!

Don't you like taking photos?

Smile!

Don't you like to smile?

Don't point at me with this!

Don't you like to smile?

Come on, let me take one for you.

You bunch of bastards!

Over there.

Come on!

Watch it. Easy.

Are you looking for someone?

I can help you.

What's the name?

I'm looking for

a child and her mother.

Haven't seen them.

Can you help me contact foreign journalists?

Come with me.

Chongqing

Extra! Extra!

Extra! Extra!

Extra! Extra!

Japanese atrocity in Nanjing!

Tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians massacred!

Everyone come and see!

Senator,

look what's happening in China.

News! News!

Photographs from various sources

are exposing Japanese atrocities in Nanjing.

The inhumane massacre has continued for weeks.

The victims include prisoners of war and large numbers of innocent civilians.

Gun shooting, looting, arson, rape and other heinous acts are beyond description.

Save China! Down with Japan!

Embassy of Japan in the U.S.

This is impossible!

This is impossible!

The negatives are with me.

The rest were all burned.

In this matter,

you've brought shame

to your family and the entire Sixth Division.

Now

everyone will know about this hell.

Thank you.

Are these all the negatives?

Did any go missing?

This is Hu Die.

And this is me.

Can you develop this photo for me?

And enlarge it.

Why?

Impossible.

How can this be?

Impossible!

Why?

Impossible!

Why?

I have an idea.

These are the negatives

I developed

before Nanjing fell.

Many of them are ownerless now.

Take these

and switch them with the Japanese negatives.

We'll each sew the Japanese negatives into our clothes.

Whoever gets a travel pass

takes the negatives out.

Gotta take them out.

Let me do it.

You can sew?

On my first day at work,

what I learned was sewing mail bags.

Why did you sew mail bags?

My name isn't A-tai.

My surname is Su.

Su Liuchang.

Postman of Group 2, District 1 of Nanjing Post Office.

Number 1213.

Though Gongyuan Street is just a short alley,

Smile... put your hand on the lady' shoulder...

the spring, summer, autumn, and winter of Nanjing people,

their joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness,

are all contained within it.

Birthday senor...

They buy clothes,

buy rouge,

buy wedding candy,

host banquets.

Wish your newborn son make your family prosper!

Don't be afraid, baby. Look at the camera.

So gallant and spirited, serving our country.

Excellent!

Whether it's having children,

getting married,

graduating,

getting employed...

A lovely family with sons and daughters...

it means perfect.

...birth, retire, sickness, death,

they all come through this Lucky Photo Studio.

You're graduated.

Study hard in college,

go abroad,

but come back to serve our country.

Everyone wants to

leave some memories here.

Impossible!

Why?

Horse with flowers,

sword held high,

at your door I'm passing by,

asking you, orange or banana,

which to try?

When you grow up,

what job do you want?

Nurse? Nurse is great.

Healing the wounded and saving lives.

Beautiful sisters.

Beauty stops fish and stuns birds,

shames flowers and dims the moon.

Chest out, head up.

Brothers united

have huge strength.

It's fine.

These Chinese people's photos don't matter.

It's you!

Damn it!

You bastard!

They are the true owners of this city.

Here, come on!

Put it out!

Don't move!

Put out the fire!

Stop!

Everyone back off!

My negatives!

You want to know the places in the photos?

Willow Lane,

Guang'an Street,

Yang Gong Well,

Pingshi Street,

Iron Workshop,

Seven Families Bay,

Donkey Market, Jiaofu Camp!

Ito,

pick up the sword.

Do it!

Crowing Temple,

Mochou Lake,

Purple Mountain,

Yuhuatai,

Yijiang Gate,

Guanghua Gate,

Zhongshan Gate,

Zhonghua Gate!

Do it!

Don't touch me!

I'll kill you.

It's not up to you to not allow it!

I'll kill you!

As long as China hasn't perished,

we Chinese won't allow you to destroy it like this!

We are

not friends.

Not.

Send the ashes back home.

Tell them

Ito died for the honor of the 6th Division

in the battle of Nanjing

heroically.

I deeply recognize the world situation and the current state of the Empire,

and have ordered the Imperial Government

August 15, 1945. Japan surrenders unconditionally

to notify the U.S., the U.K., China, and the USSR

of our acceptance of their joint declaration.

1947. Nanjing War Crimes Tribunal

Inoue Yuji,

did the Japanese 6th Division

conduct large-scale massacres in Nanjing?

Absolutely not.

In war, accidental casualties are inevitable.

If

the Chinese army had surrendered earlier,

civilian casualties would not have occurred.

You cannot prove

that we were the culprits for civilian casualties.

Present the evidence.

There was a man named Jin

who ran a photo studio in Nanjing.

Japanese invaders

brought their photos to his studio for developing.

Jin, fearing their brutality, couldn't refuse,

but secretly switched one set of negatives.

The photos contained

evidence of Japanese military crimes...

they took pleasure in massacring our people.

Even now, viewing them

still brings terror.

We present this evidence

for your examination,

attached as part of the material evidence

for trial and judgment.

Upon investigation,

these photographs

were indeed taken by the Japanese invaders during their atrocities

and serve as iron-clad evidence of war crimes.

The Japanese military leaders who invaded Nanjing

jointly allowed their troops

to systematically carry out

disembowelment,

beheading,

rape,

burning alive,

and other cruel acts

against

unarmed civilians

and innocent women and children,

totaling over 300,000 people.

The evidence is conclusive

and undeniable.

This blood debt is enormous,

and the crimes heinous!

This court sentences...

death.

Go!

Get out!

Fire!

Mom,

can this be captured as you said?

Yes.

- Go! - Go!

Go!

Fire!

Starting from April 26, 1947, war criminals including Tani Hisao were successively executed.

"My dear sweetheart"

"has a smiling face"

"In late autumn, he brought me spring"

"My dear sweetheart"

"has so much treasure"

"He can bring me the sun in the darkest night"

"I won't let anyone take away the spring"

"that belongs only to me"

"I won't let anyone extinguish"

"the sun in my heart"

"My dear sweetheart"

"Don't be overcome by sorrow"

"I hope your smile will stay eternal"

"My dear sweetheart"

"has so much treasure"

"He can bring me the sun in the darkest night"

"I won't let anyone take away the spring"

"that belongs only to me"

"I won't let anyone extinguish"

"the sun in my heart"

"My dear sweetheart"

"Don't be overcome by sorrow"

"I hope your smile will stay eternal"