Over the past few years , however , there has been an outpouring of dramatizations of nanjing in literature and film , as a new generation of chinese auteurs attempt to grapple with the tragedy , and juggle the demands of their audience , their censors , and their own artistic conscience .
Competing for the main prize are 21 films , and the selection of so many " grands auteurs " , or established directors , has been interpreted as a deliberate attempt to put film back in the limelight instead of heated political debate .
Mr salles joins a long list of auteurs who have tried to adapt " on the road " for the silver screen , and is the only one to have seen the idea through to completion .
