‘Shoa,’ ‘Downfall,’ and the First Cannes Winner Set for Beijing Fest’s “Film and Peace” Program

by

The film showcases the deep pain and hardship that wars inflict upon humanity, which is the theme of the ‘Film and Peace’ program at the Beijing International Film Festival for their 15th edition, beginning this Friday.

The event will feature 12 powerful works of art, each reflecting the devastation of war, commemorating the 80th anniversary of World War II’s end. By participating, we can delve deeper into history. Filmmakers from around the world employ contrasting light and dark scenes to evoke memories of the brutalities and persistent suffering of war. They use personal feelings, intense realism, and shock value to keep our memory alive and issue a warning for today.

On the 80th anniversary of World War II’s end, we will be presented with 12 striking pieces of art, all illustrating the heartbreak of war. By attending this event, we can gain a deeper understanding of history. Filmmakers from near and far use shadows and highlights to recall the harsh realities and unending pain of conflict. They employ personal emotions, raw reality, and jarring impact to keep our memories alive and sound an alert for today’s world.

One of the films showing at the Chinese film festival is “The Last Chance,” which won the inaugural Cannes Film Festival in 1946. This movie was directed by Leopold Lindtberg, a filmmaker from Austria-Switzerland. Other notable films included in the lineup are Claude Lanzmann’s “Shoah,” Terrence Malick’s “The Thin Red Line,” and Jonathan Glazer’s Academy Award-winning “The Zone of Interest.

A significant number of the films shown in that section have been recently remastered into 4K quality, as stated by the film festival taking place from April 18th through the 26th.

Below is a look at the lineup for the Beijing “Film and Peace” lineup.

In ‘The Last Chance’, I find myself in the shoes of two daring prisoners, one British, one American. We’re not just any prisoners; we’re trapped in a Nazi concentration camp. But here’s the twist: our mission isn’t just about escaping. No, we’re also guiding refugees to freedom. It’s 1945, and the war’s not over yet. We’re their last hope – their chance to break free from the grip of the Nazis.

The renowned, nearly nine-hour long Holocaust documentary by Claude Lanzmann, entitled “Shoah,” includes interviews with survivors, eyewitnesses, and those who participated in the atrocities.

In the work titled “All I Had Was Nothingness“, Guillaume Ribot, 2025, the focus shifts to the creation of Shoah and its impact on Lanzmann, as Ribot revisits previously unused footage from the Holocaust documentary.

1956’s “The Burmese Harp,” directed by Kon Ichikawa, is a little-known gem within the realm of Japanese anti-war cinema. As referred to by the Beijing festival as a “rare masterpiece,” this film narrates the experiences of Japanese soldiers engaged in the Burma Campaign during World War II.

1966’s film “Wings,” directed by Larisa Shepitko, explores the lingering effects of war on the lives of former female aviators beyond their military service, providing a poignant glimpse into their emotional landscapes post-conflict. (Beijing fest synopsis)

1977’s film Cross of Iron, directed by Sam Peckinpah, features a compelling tale of class struggle between a noble Prussian military officer and a weary, experienced infantry officer, portrayed respectively by James Coburn, Maximilian Schell, James Mason, and David Warne.

Or

In the 1977 film Cross of Iron, directed by Sam Peckinpah, we see a gripping narrative about class conflict unfold between an aristocratic Prussian officer and a hardened, disillusioned infantry officer. James Coburn, Maximilian Schell, James Mason, and David Warne take on these roles.

Or

The 1977 film Cross of Iron, led by Sam Peckinpah, tells a gripping story of class struggle between an aristocratic Prussian officer and a disillusioned infantry officer, played by James Coburn, Maximilian Schell, James Mason, and David Warne.

Or

In the 1977 movie Cross of Iron, directed by Sam Peckinpah, we follow a captivating plot revolving around class conflict between a Prussian officer with noble roots and a cynical infantry officer who has seen his fair share of battle. James Coburn, Maximilian Schell, James Mason, and David Warne are the stars in this film.

Or

The 1977 film Cross of Iron, directed by Sam Peckinpah, presents a gripping story about class conflict between an aristocratic Prussian officer and a battle-weary infantry officer. James Coburn, Maximilian Schell, James Mason, and David Warne star in this movie.

Or

The 1977 film Cross of Iron, under the direction of Sam Peckinpah, showcases a captivating narrative about class conflict between an aristocratic Prussian officer and a cynical infantry officer. James Coburn, Maximilian Schell, James Mason, and David Warne portray these roles.

The film, titled “The Emperor’s Naked Army Marches On,” by Kazuo Hara, was released in 1987. This documentary focuses on a 62-year-old veteran who waged a personal quest to find those accountable for the mysterious deaths of two comrades during Japan’s World War II campaign in New Guinea.

1998’s cinematic masterpiece, “The Thin Red Line,” directed by Terrence Malick, features an illustrious cast including Sean Penn, Adrien Brody, Jim Caviezel, George Clooney, John Cusack, Woody Harrelson, Nick Nolte, John C. Reilly, and John Travolta. This film portrays a band of soldiers engaged in a life-or-death struggle during the Guadalcanal battle.

In this film titled “Downfall,” directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel, released in 2004, Bruno Ganz takes on the role of Adolf Hitler, depicting the last days of the Nazi leadership as they hide in their bunker. This restored 4K version will be shown in Beijing for movie enthusiasts to enjoy.

In 1939, on the brink of World War II, multitudes of Jewish refugees found themselves ensnared in Vienna under Nazi control. This documentary recounts their thrilling journey to Shanghai, a city that offered them refuge during those turbulent times.

In 2023, “The Zone of Interest,” directed by Jonathan Glazer, was hailed as an “innovative grandmasterpiece” and a “meditation on war” by Beijing critics. This dramatic portrayal of Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss and his family, starring Christian Friedel and Sandra Hüller, clinched the award for best international feature film at the Oscars.

The Propagandist, by Luuk Bouwman (2024)
Through never-before-seen interviews, personal records, and propaganda films, this documentary traces the ascent and descent of Jan Teunissen, a Dutch filmmaker who rose to prominence as the head of the Dutch film department and a pivotal figure in Nazi propaganda.

Read More

2025-04-16 10:55