JOHN RABE
Germany, 2008, 140 minutes, Colour.
Ulrich Tukur, Steve Buscemi, Anne Consigny, Daniel Bruehl.
Directed by Florian Gelberger.
Definitely for the list for those who appreciate 20th century historical dramas with solid plot, fine characterisations, a sense of period and a focus on social issues and the human spirit.
A postscript to the film tells us 'based on true events' and the sad note that after the war John Rabe did not receive 'denazification' and died impoverished in Berlin in 1950. Not a worthy end for a man who rose to practical heroism during the 1937 Japanese siege and rape of Nanking.
John Rabe and his wife Dora arrived in China in 1910, an employee of the German firm, Siemens, for the Chinese branch. A bureaucrat with a talent for management, despite an inbuilt Germanic arrogance that made him think less of the Chinese, their abilities and their intelligence. Yet, he was a firm but benign employer. He was also loyal to Germany, a member of the National Socialist Party – though the meetings we see in Nanking were rather enjoyable, relaxed affairs much to the disgust of Rabe's replacement, the Nazi Herr Fleiss.
During his speech at a farewell dinner where he was given a 'Friend of the Chinese' award, the Japanese began to bomb Nanking. We see the fright of the people and Rabe's innate humanity as he opens the Siemens gates and hides the workers under a huge swastika flag.
His dilemma is whether to stay or return to Germany, when a young diplomat (Daniel Bruehl) proposes a Safe Zone and Rabe is elected to head the Committee, supported by Miss Dupre (Anne Consigny), the head of the girls' high school and opposed by the sardonic US Dr Wilson (Steve Buscemi who blends seriousness with his particular comic touches).
The screenplay's presentation of the Japanese aggression, their ruthless superiority over the Chinese and the brutality of their massacres is particularly disturbing.
The setting up of the Safe Zone and the maintenance of order, food and security for 200,000 refugees is shown in detail and the hardships after the fall of the city and the cruel Japanese occupation. Some sequences lead us to think that the expected will happen – especially when two Japanese officers begin to rape a student who brings food to her family but there are unanticipated consequences for all involved.
Clearly, this is a worthily-motivated film but it is persuasive for all but the most cynical. As is said of fine performances and very true here, Ulrich Tukur inhabits his role completely.
The film notes that the Japanese government has never acknowledged the rape of Nanking, a truly atrocious episode prior to the outbreak of World War II.
1.20th century history, its complexity, the roles of Japan and Germany? China?
2.Audience knowledge of the China in the 20th century? The Japanese invasion, 1937, the siege of Nanking? The Japanese government not acknowledging these events?
3.The German perspective, memories of Nazism? Heroism from a National Socialist Party member?
4.The theme of human nature, goodness, despite Nazi philosophies? Heroism?
5.John Rabe in himself, his working for Siemens, twenty-seven years, being in China all that time, being with Dora? His plans for the company, for China, the development of the plant, supplying electricity, the building of the dam? The German attitudes towards China, changing in the 1930s? His being asked to return, to close down the plant? His being kicked upstairs? His National Socialist membership? His regard for Hitler, appealing to him to intervene on behalf of the Chinese? His decision to stay, the safety zone, collaboration with the group to administer the zone? The Chinese, his love for them? Getting Dora on the boat? The aftermath, his not being de-Nazified? His death in poverty? The film showing him writing in his diary, the voice-over? The later discovery of the diary? His rehabilitation? The foundation for his work?
6.Siemens and the German companies, their domination, the arrogant Germans, efficiency, condescending attitudes towards the Chinese? As less intelligent? Correcting the Chinese, reprimanding? Rabe’s choice of officials? The Berlin orders? The arrival of Fleiss and his mission, his Nazi attitude, to close down the factory, to dismiss the workers? The issues of the workers sheltering in the Siemens plant?
7.Rabe and his age, his attitude towards the Chinese, his second-in-charge? His unconscious arrogance? Fleiss and his reaction? Going to the club, the sense of fellowship despite the national socialism? Fleiss and his condemnation? Rabe and his reflecting with his wife? Preparing to leave, his prospects in Germany? The party, the award of the medal, the Japanese official walkout? His speech, the bombs? The next day Miss Dupre and her girls singing in his honour?
8.The hospital, the difficulties? Doctor Wilson and his presence, his role? The meetings, Wilson and his anti-Rabe stances, criticisms of his Chinese medal? Seeing him as a fascist? His friendship with Miss Dupre, going to the function, his cynicism, her criticism?
9.The Japanese bombings, the close-up of the planes, the bombs falling, the factory, the closed gates, Rabe opening them? Fleiss and his refusal? The issue of the German flag at the club, opening it, providing a warning shelter against the Japanese bombs?
10.Rosen, his arrival, the girl taking photographs, his interest? His story and the background from Shanghai? His Jewish ancestry?
11.The meeting, the US representatives, the Anglican clergy, Miss Dupre, Doctor Wilson, Rabe, Rosen? The discussions about the situation in Nanking, the threats? Rosen and his proposal of the safe area like Shanghai? The suggestions, the elections, Wilson and his opposition, Rabe accepting, Wilson accepting?
12.The meeting the next day, Rabe not present, Wilson’s suspicions? Going to the wharf, seeing Rabe with Dora, his putting her on the boat, his not going – and the immediate sinking of the ship and his grief?
13.The Japanese headquarters, the plans, the prince and his haughty attitude, the sergeant following orders? The varying strategies, the prince and his dominating attack, the strength of the Japanese, their arrogance, invincibility? The bombings and the planes? The sequences of the convoys moving through the snow? The large number of Chinese prisoners, the lies about the soup, their being mown down? The entry into Nanking? The agreement about the safe area? The soldiers, the killing of the Chinese soldiers?
14.Miss Dupre and the school, the girls, the young girl taking photographs, her interest in Rosen? Going out at night, Miss Dupre’s forbidding it? Food for her brother? Her cruel father? The soldiers following, the attempted rape, her brother shooting the soldiers, their putting on the uniforms, the disguise, escape through the streets, the pursuit by the Japanese, going into the school, Rosen and Miss Dupre, the girls and the search, their being stripped, the Japanese frustrated at not finding the officers?
15.The organisation of the safe area, the map, including Siemens’ factory and the school? The rules, no weapons? The hospital, Doctor Wilson and his breaking his rule with the plea of the father to save his son? The shooting of the doctors and nurses? The soldiers sheltering in the school? The issue of rations?
16.Rosen, using his ingenuity, getting the hospital needs fulfilled?
17.The rice, the payment, the money, Rosen’s money? Rabe giving his savings? The visit of the Japanese, the harshness? Finding the soldiers? Reprisals?
18.The growing desperation, Wilson and Rabe and their drinking together, the singing the song insulting Hitler, yet not able to shake hands?
19.The pre-Christmas desperation, the Japanese takeover of the safe area, the introduction of the troops? Rabe being unwell, his insulin supply dwindling? The celebration of Christmas? Receiving Dora’s cake, the delight that she was alive?
20.The decision to stop the massacre, the group in charge standing in front of the safe area, the challenge to the Japanese, the taunt about the media arriving, the Japanese backing down?
21.Rabe, personality, achievement, heroism – and only recognised much later? The film as a tribute to him?
