Assembly (film)

Assembly (Chinese: 集结号; pinyin: Jíjiéhào), also known as The Assembly, is a 2007 Chinese war film directed by Feng Xiaogang. The film is based on the novel The Lawsuit by Yang Jinyuan, which tells the story of a People's Liberation Army company commander during the Chinese Civil War and the Korean War who fights to have his fallen soldiers recognized as heroes.

The film's plot centers on Gu Zidi, the aforementioned company commander, who is ordered to hold a defensive position against overwhelming enemy forces during the Chinese Civil War until he hears the bugle call signaling a retreat. Due to heavy fighting and the loss of communication, Gu never hears the call. Believing his men were sacrificed to buy time for the rest of the army, he dedicates himself to locating their remains and securing their posthumous recognition as war heroes, battling bureaucratic indifference and facing the lingering trauma of war.

Assembly is notable for its realistic and unflinching depiction of combat, a departure from some earlier Chinese war films. It explores themes of duty, sacrifice, and the bureaucratic challenges faced by veterans and the families of the fallen. The film received critical acclaim for its direction, acting, and its portrayal of the human cost of war. It was a box office success in China and was nominated for several awards.