Zhang Yimou did himself no favors by trying to remake The Coen Brothers' Blood Simple with his wildly uneven A Simple Noodle Story last year, but he has enough amazing films on his resume that every one of his projects is worth taking note of. The director of such greats as Hero and House of Flying Daggers is back with China's official entry for the upcoming Oscars, The Flowers of War.
Starring Christian Bale, the film takes place in 1937 China during the Nanking Massacre, in which Japanese soldiers raped and murdered thousands of civilians over the course of a six-week period occupying the former Chinese capital. Bale plays the real life John Magee, a priest who helped shelter prostitutes, students, and others from the savage attacks.
The film hits theaters in China on December 16th, but no firm date has been set here in the States. Personally I don't think it will have legs over here, although Bale's presence and it's Oscar presence should land it on our doorstep before too long. Check out the new trailer below...
