Revolutionary justice shown on screen(2)

Yan'an was then the capital of the Shaan-Gan-Ning border region, the Communist Party's base to fight against Japanese aggression. When the murder occurred, the region's superior court had only functioned for two months, and its legal system was still not complete.

The director points out that a highlight in his film is the detailed portrayal of the various major characters. That was why he chose to use many close-up shots of the protagonists to give a sense of their emotions.

Still, young moviegoers may not understand its solemn tone. Scattered laughter was heard in the small preview cinema during the forum.

However, with the handsome 32-year-old actor Wang Kai playing Huang Kegong, the film may have popular appeal. After the screening, there were some young female fans lined up to present bouquets to their idol.

Wang Kai was named this year's "most cutting-edge" actor by the forum, but he modestly attributed the achievement to his rival in the film: Cheng Taishen, 43, who plays chief judge Lei Jingtian, and is best-known for his performance as a Chinese migrant to Barcelona in the Oscar-nominated Mexican-Spanish drama Biutiful (2010).

"It's hard to say if Huang Kegong is a villain, or if Lei Jingtian is an almighty hero," Cheng says. "Their characters are complicated. Lei flinched in front of the trial at first. Huang was really a hero on the battlefield, but made a big mistake when he committed the impulsive act."

The film's screenwriter Wang Xingdong, 63, who is also the deputy director of the China Film Association, reveals that some young actors refused to take part in the film after they had read the script, because of its serious political theme. He says he went through many old files, including Chairman Mao's handwritten letter refusing amnesty, to be historically accurate.

"The film industry needs people who care about more than pure entertainment and money," says this cinema veteran known for his historical dramas, including The Founding of a Republic (2009).

"Film is a mirror of society, and the lessons from history are mirrors for today. When we bring such a story to the public, we not only aim to attract an audience, but we want to leave something for our country's juridical history."