The Canadian premiere of Dongji Rescue on August 22 sparked an emotional wave among audiences in Toronto, as viewers connected with a daring tale from World War II that has long sat in the shadows of history.
"It shed light on Japan's wartime invasion, which I felt was still under-recognized internationally," said one attendee, her voice trembling. "It left me in tears and filled me with pride at the resilience of the Chinese spirit."
Directed by Guan Hu and Fei Zhenxiang, Dongji Rescue (2025) recounts the harrowing 1942 sinking of the Lisbon Maru, a Japanese ship carrying British prisoners of war. When the vessel went down off the coast of Zhoushan, hundreds of POWs were trapped below deck as Japanese soldiers sealed the holds. In a remarkable display of solidarity, local fishermen from Dongji Island braved enemy fire to save hundreds of stranded men.
Filmed on an $80 million budget with IMAX cameras, the drama is a visual powerhouse. Since its premiere on the Chinese mainland earlier this month, the film has gone globalscreening in London, Toronto, and beyondand quickly became a box office hit, praised for its sweeping cinematography and gut-wrenching storytelling.
Critics and film buffs abroad have applauded Dongji Rescue for spotlighting China's little-known contributions to the WWII narrative. With heart-pounding action sequences and human moments of quiet heroism, the movie offers both an important history lesson and a reminder of the everyday courage that emerges in times of crisis.
As screenings continue around the world, young global citizens are rediscovering the past through this powerful cinematic experience, finding fresh perspectives on resilience, solidarity, and the impact of ordinary people in shaping history.
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Reactions from Canadian audiences at the premiere of Dongji Rescue
cgtn.com
