Assembly

Aroview: Searing Chinese war drama set during the country's last days of Civil war, in which a courageous army captain fights tooth and nail to stave off a horrific enemy attack, only for his fallen comrades to receive no posthumous recognition for their efforts.

Somewhat lopsided with the film's early, pulverising combat scenes giving way to the inward soul-searching of its tortured protagonist, this is nevertheless a powerful anti-war treatment skillfully smuggled inside a patriotic tale of self-sacrifice.