Christian Bale seems to keep delivering movie after movie. At the rate he is going, he will deliver his face to huge iconic characters, great roles, and even better performances. He is in the spotlight for most American film lovers and Bale could now be heading to China. In China sits Zhang Yimou, the man who delivered films most of which will go unmentioned for Americans, but those America will have heard of; "Hero", "House of Flying Daggers", and "A Woman, a Gun, and a Noodle Shop" (a film based on the 1984 Coen Brothers' film).
Zhang Yimou is putting together the pieces to film a story set in World War II, in China, where a priest sheltered 13 young prostitutes who aid against the Japanese. History records that at least 150,000 people were killed during this specific time and place. Bale will be playing the part of the priest, as Zhang Yimou was most pleased with his studying in the historical event.
The event itself isn't going to be a feel-good piece. During the spread of the six-week event there was mass rape and mass murder. Nearly half the amount of people killed, estimated between 150,000-300,000 people, were a group of raped women. This story will surely not draw much support from Japan. Japan believes the whole event to be a fabrication or at least a lot of exaggerations.
On December 19th 1937, Reverend James M. McCallum wrote in his diary:
"I know not where to end. Never I have heard or read such brutality. Rape! Rape! Rape! We estimate at least 1,000 cases a night, and many by day. In case of resistance or anything that seems like disapproval, there is a bayonet stab or a bullet ... People are hysterical ... Women are being carried off every morning, afternoon and evening. The whole Japanese army seems to be free to go and come as it pleases, and to do whatever it pleases."
The film will probably cause political issues, and the story was written to include an American, which could lead to further problems. The story is more than likely going to show us a one sided perception of what happened through made-up characters. "Based on a true story" will probably be a loose term.
Regardless of the accuracy of the story, casting Christian Bale as the lead man is surely a step in the right direction in delivering a good film. I cannot wait to hear more about the film as time goes on.
