When a ship goes down and lives hang in the balance, humanity faces its toughest test. Dongji Rescue, the newly released film, returns eight decades later to the chilling 1942 Lisbon Maru incident off the Chinese mainlands Dongji Island.
That year, the Japanese military loaded hundreds of Allied prisoners of war onto the Lisbon Maru. After a torpedo strike, many were left to drown in icy waters. But amid the chaos, local fishermen defied orders, racing out in small boats to pull survivors from the waves under threat of enemy fire.
Dongji Rescue follows last year's documentary and this year's feature-length revisit of the same story. Rather than dwell on battlefield horror, the film zeroes in on the fishermen unwavering compassion—ordinary people choosing kindness over indifference, a moral stand that still resonates today.
The filmmakers blend archival footage with dramatic re-enactments, spotlighting how humble wooden boats became lifelines. By weaving personal testimonies and data-driven insights, they show how one small act of courage can rewrite historys darkest moments.
More than a war drama, Dongji Rescue invites global audiences to reflect on sacrifice and solidarity. Eighty years on, it reminds us that when the waters rise, the true test is whether we pull others in or let them sink.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
