Japanese Devils on Nanny's Doorstep

Why does the Nanny ban a film depicting the brutalities of the Imperial Japanese Army aka the Japanese Devils?

(In translation) "Devils on the doorstep" - Wrong stance on history
Jiang Wen's "Devils on the Doorstep" has failed to pass the censorship of the SARFT*.  The ban has stirred concern among the people in the film industry.  The reasons for the ban?  The film not only involves the resistance against Japan, a historical issue, but also takes a "problematic stance".

According to a well-informed source, the excerpt of the Film Bureau's reply was as follows: The film does not show the hate and resistance of the Chinese people in the context of the War of Resistance against Japan.  Instead, it focuses on and even exaggerates the ignorance, apathy and slavishness of the Chinese people (Source: Legal Evening Post via QQ)

Of course one would not expect a "well-informed source" to tell the whole truth.

Li Xiangrui wrote in 2005 (the 60th anniversary of the surrender of Japan):-

(In translation) This is a daring film: The Communist troops and leaders are absent in a domestic film about resistance against Japan.  It was absolutely unthinkable!  And quite obviously, at the beginning of the film it is the Communist troop which brings the biggest trouble to the Chinese villagers.  (Source: Sina)

More on Devils:
Danwei
Time Asia

*State Administration of Radio, Film and Television