The Message

Genre: Drama, Thriller, History, War
Starring: Zhou Xun, Li Bingbing, Huang Xiaoming, Alec Su, Zhang Hanyu, Wang Zhiwen, Ying Da
Release year: 2009
Language: Mandarin
Subtitle: English




SYNOPSIS:
1942 Nanking, the then capital city of China has fallen into the hands of the Japanese Imperial Army, where they established and controlled the puppet government. After various deadly attacks and assassination attempts by underground guerillas, it became evident that there has been a leak of intelligence, and someone is working undercover within the Intelligence Bureau for the underground revolutionists. A group of unsuspecting key officials that had a hand in the circulation of a staged encoded message are captured and transported to a far off mansion in the middle of the night for interrogation. As they are each served with torture and counter-intelligence tactics, they soon realize that no one will be able to leave until the snitch is identified. The only way for them to survive through this, would be to turn on each other…

RATING: 9.5/10



REVIEW:
" Based on a novel, Chen wrote the screenplay for this “cat and mouse” game which engagingly provides a glimpse for today’s audiences of what it means to feel nationalistic pride in the past. It does evoke that sense of devotion and loyalty, and makes you wonder whether a local film can stir up the same feeling? While this doubt’s answers lies in the vast differences in culture and history, one cannot overlook the impressive production values of this film boasting Feng Xiaogang’s (If You Are The One) name as its executive producer.

The two hour movie manages to bring together some credible names to create an authentic look for the movie. Jake Pollock (Yang Yang)’s lush cinematography enhances the intricate costume design by Tim Yip (Red Cliff). The comfortable pacing of the editing, the well executed soundscape and the entrancing production design will mesmerize viewers from beginning to end.

And thankfully, the storytelling does not disappoint too. The gradual build up of the plot culminates in a finale which may be arguably predictable, but works well for a film of this genre. Credit goes to the spot on cast, all of whom shine in their own character. There is Zhang Hanyu (Assembly) as a long suffering militarist, Huang Xiaoming (Sniper) as the Japanese soldier, Alec Su (L-O-V-E) as a lieutenant and Li Bingbing (The Forbidden Kingdom). Zhang and Huang exudes charisma in their pain inflicted roles, Su creates quite a show with his portrayal of an effeminate officer and Li makes viewers feel her agony with a unique aura of quietness. There is nothing to fault with the acting, as it is with Zhou Xun’s (Perhaps Love) code breaker character. Effortlessly moving through the film with her distinctive allure, she is no doubt one of the greatest movie actresses of our time.

There is something about movies which help people like this reviewer to learn more about history. And despite being a fictional thriller, this finely made production has left this reviewer wondering what it was like to live in a time when you lived for your country. "


Using FFSJ to join the files (.001 .002).
MF: Thanks to Illmatic for the links (not interchangeable) (HARDSUB)

http://www.mediafire.com/?ydemmtw2znb
http://www.mediafire.com/?omgmhltn0zu
http://www.mediafire.com/?ngmttjoomym
http://www.mediafire.com/?njjjadntnwm
http://www.mediafire.com/?mzndmmywwwn
http://www.mediafire.com/?tzymzyynjtz
http://www.mediafire.com/?42einyz4ngl
http://www.mediafire.com/?4mmhijng2zh
http://www.mediafire.com/?je5t5znonjn