This movie is the first of a trilogy that will extract the “Truth of Nanking” to be distributed both domestically and internationally.
The alleged “Massacre” occurred in 1938 but it took 8 whole years before the Taiwanese, Chinese, and Western governments decided to take action. Indictments were made. General Iwane Matsui, commanding officer during the capture of Nanking, was hanged for his leadership in the battle. It appears that the “Truth of Nanking” lies in the procedures undertaken then, during the International Military Tribunal.
This movie explores the events of the Nanking Massacre vis-a-vis the experiences of the “7 war criminals” on the eve of their death sentence. It is through these extreme circumstances that elicit emotional outcries from the so-called criminals, that one can begin to reconstruct the true nature of the event.
This movie goes on to demonstrate just what kind of trial took place at the Tokyo Trial and specifically focuses on the rhetoric of Mr. Blakeny, an American defense lawyer.
Blakeny: For a country to apologize for individual actions in war is lawful. International law concedes to domestic laws; the trial must not come against individual people.
Killing a man in war is not an infraction of the law. It does not make a man a murderer. War makes killing legitimate. It is an inevitable fact of war. Even when motivated by hatred, one cannot be held accountable.
If the death of Admiral Kidd at Pearl Harbor was murder, then we can arrest those responsible for dropping the Atomic bomb on Hiroshima. The Presiding Chief of the event has even consented to it.
Yes, they were aware that what they did was wrong. I will not deny that. But they were ordered to engage in battle. Are we to accuse them of being unjust when war itself is not a crime?
Based on what infraction, what evidence have these so-called war criminals committed crimes? The men who planned and executed the dropping of the A-bomb are here!
The seven war criminals were classified as class-A war criminals and put to death for politically motivated reasons. But they did not meet their cruel fate in vain. Though they were to vanish like dew on the gallows, they lived with bravery, love, and pain.
Through the investigation of human beings and their emotions, this movie will bring feelings of compassion and understanding not only to Japan but to the world. Fifty, even a hundred years from today, we anticipate this film to demonstrate a true report of the 7 so-called criminals.
Though their stories have been shrouded with misunderstandings, the account of the world-famous A-class criminals can now be told proudly to represent the true nature and spirit of Japan to the rest of the world.
The Truth of Nanking Film Partners