The cast of "Dead To Rights," a film on the Nanjing Massacre, has made concerted efforts to present characters that drive the emotional core of the film, said director of the film.
Directed by Shen Ao and starring Liu Haoran, Wang Chuanjun, Gao Ye and Wang Xiao, "Dead to Rights" is based on documented evidence of Japanese military atrocities during the massacre.
In the film, a group of civilians take shelter in a photo studio in Nanjing, where they are forced to develop film for Japanese military photographers in exchange for survival - turning the studio into a temporary safe house.
But when they accidentally process photos that prove the massacre, and the Japanese army attempts to cover up the truth, they risk everything to smuggle the evidence out.
In an exclusive interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), the cast members and director shared their understanding of the leading roles in the film. "He was a postman in Nanjing. When the war broke out, he assumed the identity of a photo studio apprentice. He ended up at the studio by chance. He just wanted to survive, and then find a way to escape. As Ah Chang walked through the ruins of Nanjing, you stepped into his world, and his emotions and experiences instinctively came alive in your own body," said actor Liu Haoran about his role as Su Liuchang in the film.
"Wang Guanghai is a cowardly person. He's emotionally vulnerable. As he says, he doesn't see himself as a traitor. He firmly believes he's actually saving lives. If it had not been for him, Ah Chang might not have survived until now," said actor Wang Chuanjun. "The whole rhythm of the film makes me feel like it's piercing straight into my heart. She is a bit player chasing after her idol. Yuxiu is still holding onto her dream. She's not willing to let it shatter so easily. Even when the dream is crumbling, she tries to grasp the last piece of it," said actress Gao Ye, who plays Lin Yuxiu in the film.
"Jin was a relatively successful photo studio owner in wartime Nanjing. He took great pride in his profession. At first, Jin looked down on Ah Chang. But Ah Chang happened to hold a valuable card - one that could buy his family a little more time to live. So he had no choice but to trade his skills for their safety," said Wang Xiao who plays Jin Chengzong in the film.
"Zhou You's character is a soldier, a Great Wall built by flesh and blood. He harbors deep hatred toward the invaders. Yang Enyou brings a child's innocence to resist the brutality," said director Shen Ao.
"She [Yang Enyou] really helped drive my performance, making me feel as if I were truly there," said Wang Xiao.
"I think Mrs. Jin served as an emotional anchor for those around her. It is this mother and wife makes the family whole," said Shen Ao when talking about actress Wang Zhen'er's role as Zhao Yifang in the film.
"It felt like these actors brought out the best in one another throughout the film. While creating this film, I wanted to focus on small, ordinary people, those not tied closely to grand national causes, who discover something more important than life itself during their struggle to survive. I think that carries a powerful awakening force," the director said.
Cast makes concerted efforts to present Nanjing Massacre film
