Friday, February 1, 2019
7:30 p.m., Page Hall, 135 Western Avenue, University at Albany Downtown Campus.

Free and open to the public.

The award-winning film CITY OF LIFE AND DEATH (China, 2009, 133 minutes, b/w, directed by Lu Chuan, in Mandarin with English subtitles) will be shown on Friday, February 1, 2019, at 7:30 p.m. in Page Hall, 135 Western Avenue on the University at Albany Downtown Campus.

Sponsored by the New York State Writers Institute as part of its Classic Film Series, the screening is free and open to the public.

CITY OF LIFE AND DEATH dramatizes the 1937 Japanese invasion of the city of Nanking, and the atrocities committed against its population.

The film’s director, Lu Chaun, uses black-and-white cinematography, hand-held camera work, quick edits, and minimal dialogue to interpret the urban warfare, civilian slaughter, and cruelty of China’s national tragedy.

The New York Times reviewer described Lu as "an extraordinary visual artist," and the Boston Globe reviewer commented that Lu "does more with the first 50 minutes [of the film] than some directors accomplish in 10 movies." The Los Angeles Times reviewer called the film, "truly a masterpiece in black and white and pain."

CITY OF LIFE AND DEATH won Best Cinematographer and Best Director from the Asian Film Awards, and Best Foreign Film from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association.