Anyway, most people who read this review are likely not watching Founding of a Republic for its pro-Communist message. Instead, the main attraction is how directors Han Sanping and Huang Jianxin manage to fit reportedly 170+ stars and directors into a 139-minute historical epic. Founding of a Republic is the cinematic equivalent of an awards ceremony, turning an exposition-filled propaganda film with no commercial value into a celebratory party filled with a who’s who of Chinese cinema. The result is a record-breaking hit – it’s now the highest-grossing Chinese-language film in China – that will go down in history for having the best marketing strategy ever for a Chinese film.

However, what the producers don’t tell you is that stars like Andy Lau, Jet Li, and Zhang Ziyi appear in only cameo roles, with few of them having bearing on the actual plot (Tony Leung Ka-Fai’s brief, dialogue-less appearance for a lame joke ranks as the most gratuitous). In fact, big names like John Woo couldn’t even fit in the final cut. I’m sure China appreciates their sacrifice, especially since all the actors reportedly worked for free to keep the film’s budget down to a reported RMB$30 million, the same reported budget as Wong Jing’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

The main stars here are Tang Guoqiang as Communist Party leader Mao Zedong and veteran actor Zhang Guoli as Kuomintang leader Chiang Kai-Shek. Their story begins in 1945, just after World War II, with the two party leaders meeting in Chongqing to negotiate some kind of peaceful co-existence. The scene also offers an opportunity for Jet Li to pop up as a military officer who declares his refusal to fight a civil war. What that means is that Li won't be appearing in the rest of the film, as history tells us that peace didn't last. Disagreements over the restoration of China and the KMT’s goal of a one-party government break the peace, and the conflict quickly descends into war, as the Communist party fights honorably and gloriously to overcome the powerful KMT army. Meanwhile, the KMT tries to contain its internal chaos.

It would be impossible to give a more detailed summary of the film’s plot, since every scene features so much exposition that any plot description would become a history book. Instead of focusing on a specific period of history, the filmmakers cram in as much as possible with a parade of endless meeting scenes featuring their historical characters. After a meeting to discuss something about to happen, the filmmakers follow it with another meeting discussing what has apparently already happened. Everything that happens is mentioned rather than shown, and most of the scenes portraying the actual war appear to be stock footage from other propaganda films (Tang Guoqiang, after all, has played Mao at least ten other times). So perhaps the modest budget is not such a surprise, after all.

As a result of the rampant exposition, those who don’t know the history between the two parties (except for the obvious ending) will be frustrated at the film’s lack of effort to engage newcomers. With constant onscreen text indentifying every new character, it’s useless to remember what significance minor characters like Chen Kaige’s General Feng, Feng Xiaogang’s gangster boss, or Leon Lai’s advisor character have in the big picture. Ultimately, it’s not hard to get lost in the not-so-intriguing political negotiations the film presents. Those looking for a “People’s Republic of China for Dummies” primer in Founding of a Republic will be both frustrated and disappointed.

On the other hand, those who have an interest in history and know exactly what’s going on may somehow remain entertained. Even though there's little surprise in the focus on the glorious victory achieved by the Communist Party, the initiated may still be surprised by the sympathetic portrayal of the KMT. Chiang Kai-Shek and his son Chiang Ching-Kuo (played well by Aloys Chen Kun) are humanized characters here, trapped between their responsibilities towards their country and pleasing members of the KMT. The film suggests that the KMT lost because of forces within their party, and not because of the power of the Communists - an unexpected move for a pro-Communist propaganda film.

The portrayal of the KMT is easily the most interesting part of the film, and would’ve made for an intriguing character study. Some steps are also taken to humanize Mao; the film shows him passed out drunk while his comrades celebrate, and one sequence of a barely-awake Mao being carried out in pajamas during an air bombing reportedly almost got the film banned. However, obvious ideological agendas prevent the filmmakers from lending the Communist characters any shades of gray.

The Founding of a Republic doesn’t really break new ground, though no one should expect high art from a film that seeks to maintain the status quo. Instead, its biggest success is using well-known actors to evoke nostalgia in a domestic Chinese audience, which means even those bored by the film’s storytelling techniques can turn to a game of star spotting. However, a film shouldn’t simply be excused from its flaws because of its ideological agenda or its ability to confirm history books. As a propaganda film that drives home messages in line with official government agendas, The Founding of a Republic is a resounding success in its relative subtlety. However, as a motion picture that looks to tell complete story using a combination of visual and aural elements...not so much. (Kevin Ma, 2009)

DVD (Hong Kong)
Region 3 NTSC
Media Asia
2-DVD Edition
16x9 Anamorphic Widescreen
Mandarin Language Track
Dolby Digital 5.1 / DTS
Removable English and Chinese subtitles
Various Extras
*Also Available on Blu-ray Disc