Production The Flowers of War

zhang yimou on film s message.

to distinguish film previous depictions of same subject, zhang said tried portray japanese invaders multiple layers. regarding colonel hasegawa s sympathetic features, explained in 1937, militaristic notion among japanese armies prevalent, , officers not allowed sing homesick folk song, still wanted endow character special. director articulated biggest, though challenging, accomplishment in film creation of john miller, saying kind of character, foreigner, drifter, thug almost, becomes hero , saves lives of chinese people. has never ever happened in chinese filmmaking, , think never happen again in future. filming completed within 6 months. 1 challenging aspect zhang called slow pace of negotiation chinese censorship authorities during editing process.