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The Flowers of War (2011) is a Chinese made film starring Christian Bale and a great cast of Chinese actresses. It is in English and Chinese with subtitles. It is a great story, showing unexpected humanity.
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It is a story, based upon several historical accounts claiming to be true, and it happens during the 1937 Japanese conquest of Nanking, China. The historical brutality of the occupying Japanese troops has forever earned the infamous label of "The Rape of Nanking."
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I was actually surprised by the restraint shown by the filmmakers. I have seen documentary film footage of the hideously savage treatment of Chinese citizens under the Japanese occupation, and it is horror beyond words. While the film did not shy completely from depicting this aspect, it instead focused on the deep and humane personal changes our protagonists go through. I found it to be incredibly inspiring.
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Our characters meet in a Nanking Catholic church as the Japanese tighten their grip on the city. Bale's character is an American mortician with mercenary motives. There are a dozen early teen Chinese girls living in the church's convent, and their priest is dead. Add to that a dozen prostitutes from a nearby brothel who also seek refuge at the church. Bale has more than he bargained for.
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This might be a women's movie in that it is the decisions and actions of the girls and prostitutes that drive the moral action. Bale is a reluctant hero. I highly recommend it.
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-Zenwind.
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