The Film Tank Man- 2006 is a depiction and the story of courage that revolves around one unidentified man who stood in front of military tanks in 1989. The film revolves around student riots and government intervention using military forces. This paper intends to review the director’s historical perspective, the basis of presenting the historical perspective.
Tankman presents a historical perspective of China’s global growth as an economic and political leader (Hyun, 2019). The film also sheds light on the extent that the previous and current regimes are willing to go to achieve their goals. While the year 2019 marked 30 years since the Tiananmen Square riot and student massacre, little has changed from the time the film was shot in 2006 and when the actual event happened in 1989. Additionally, the film provides the basis for understanding the link between ancient and modern China. Indeed, the film documents the heavy-handedness of the government in censoring information, especially controlling communication through the media. The narrator states and describes the atmospheres as being edgy even when one has all the required documentation and permits since filming is interrupted continuously. It asserts, “…the government is afraid of cameras…” (Thomas, Thomas & Hsu, 2006).
In conclusion, the film is a depiction of the brutality of the government on its citizens. This brutality is unnecessary since the citizens and workers are agitating for fundamental rights. Additionally, it brings to the fore the growing pressure the poor have to contend with especially widening economic disparity. The director and the narrators give a perspective that makes it easy to understand the structure and viewpoint of the current regime and its policies. Finally, the film Tankman depicts how the courage of one man can be an inspiration to many.