The controversial documentary film "Yasukuni", directed by Chinese director Li Ying, had its first commercial screening at a Tokyo theater on Saturday and won acclaims from the audience, reported China News Service.

Audience exit the theater after watching the documentary film "Yasukuni", directed by Chinese director Li Ying, on Saturday, May 3, 2008 at Cineamuse theatre, Tokyo, Japan. (Photo: cnsphoto)

"Yasukuni" focuses on the controversy regarding the Yasukuni shrine that honors the Japanese war dead, including convicted Japanese war criminals in World War II.

Despite threats from Japan's nationalists who thought the film as anti-Japan, the screening went on safely and smoothly without any disruption from right-wingers.

Japanese police officers are stationed to maintain order when the documentary film "Yasukuni", directed by Chinese director Li Ying, had its first commercial screening at Cineamuse theatre, Tokyo, Japan, on Saturday. (Photo: cnsphoto)

Movie-goers are reported to have lined up in front of the ticket booth long before the screening early in the morning. Tickets for the screening of the day were sold out.

After watching the film, a 63-year-old Japanese lady said the film is "well done" and is not anti-Japan but anti-war. She thought that the film did not deserve the controversy and people should not voice their opinions until they've seen the movie.

"The film is quite objective", another mid-aged Japanese man said, "I think Japanese media should also make this kind of program."

An old man praised the film as excellent, saying "It is difficult for Japanese to do this!"

Many theaters cancelled their screenings with pressure from right-wing groups. Distributor delayed the original April 12 premiere to a couple of weeks later.

According to sources, the film will be screened in more than 20 theatres across the nation after its Saturday premiere.

(CRI May 4, 2008)