Dignity awakened

Tang Tianxiang (played by Fan Wei) makes the right choice between petty  love and great love

Character: Tang Tianxiang

Background: The secretary of John Rabe, shot to death by the Japanese

Implication: Growth

Actor: Fan Wei

Character´s story: Tang spent his early years studying abroad, and speaks English, German and Japanese. Before the massacre, he had expected that Nanjing would be protected and even leads his family into the safety zone with John Rabe. After witnessing the atrocities of raping, burning and killing committed by the Japanese army, Tang divulges information to the Japanese in order to protect his wife and daughter. But after his beloved daughter is thrown out of a building, and the younger sister of his wife is captured and forced to become a comfort woman, Tang finally collapses and is left broken hearted. Ultimately, he refuses to depart Nanjing with Rabe, leaving the opportunity of hope and survival to others.

Actor’s account: I was trying to think what I would have done if I were really in that situation.

Actually the role I was initially cast for was not Tang, but a battalion commander. However, I could not take that part because I was unfit at the time and the part was physically demanding. Later, after I spoke with the director several times over the telephone and met with him, he changed his opinion about me. He thought that my image in real life was rather different from what was depicted on film, and therefore suggested that I play Tang. Tang is not a bad guy, although at first he only thinks about how to protect himself. Later, as the war becomes more and more cruel, he eventually makes his choice between petty love and great love. In the movie, the character grows bit by bit which I found very meaningful since just like any ordinary person, he does not know the best course of action at the very beginning. When playing the character, I was always asking myself what I would do if I encountered these things during a war. I think I would do the same things Tang does. This movie is different from movies in the past, and also different from big-budget blockbuster films. I hope that all Chinese people will come watch it. It is a film made for all the Chinese people.

Lu Chuan’s remarks: After watching “City of Life and Death”, your impressions about Fan Wei may change drastically. You probably will not recognize him in the end. Fan Wei is a good actor, whose talents are not limited to comedy only.