"City of Life and Death", Lu Chuan's latest film about the Nanjing Massacre, grossed 65 million yuan in its first week after hitting cinemas across China on April 22, an unusually high earning during the April off-season.

Thanks to nationwide promo efforts by cast members, ticket sales have exploded not only in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, but in other regions as well. Moviegoers had to queue up for tickets over the past weekend.

Tickets may be sold out during prime time showings at any of Beijing's cinemas due to the film's unexpectedly high ticket sales.

Total sales might exceed 100 million yuan - a box office milestone in China - within a few days, according to film industry insiders.

"City of Life and Death" stands out from other films about the Nanjing Massacre with its representation of the heart-tearing, historical truth, and it has already won acclaim from the press and film critics.

(CRI April 28, 2009)