Set against the chill of the East China Sea in October 1942, Dongji Rescue recreates the harrowing sinking of the Lisbon Maru—torpedoed by American forces and abandoned by Japanese soldiers who sealed the holds and fired on British prisoners.
With over 1,800 British POWs trapped below deck, hope seemed lost—until fishermen from Dongji Island in the Chinese mainland braved enemy fire in their small wooden boats. Driven by a belief that "saving a life is a greater virtue than building a seven-storied pagoda," they pulled hundreds to safety in a selfless act that still resonates today.
Director Guan Hu says, "Distorting and twisting history is more terrifying than forgetting it. I felt that I should tell everyone the truth through the film." His words underscore the movie’s mission: to honor forgotten heroes and remind us that remembering history is not about perpetuating hate but learning from the past to safeguard peace.
In an era of rising unilateralism and conflict, Dongji Rescue arrives as a beacon of compassion. On the 80th anniversary of the War of Resistance, audiences are rediscovering China’s wartime legacy—mirroring the success of recent releases like Dead to Rights, which shattered box-office records with over 2 billion yuan in ticket sales.
Through sweeping cinematography and poignant storytelling, Dongji Rescue invites global audiences to reflect on a shared history of sacrifice. It’s a call to uphold peace, strengthen cross-cultural understanding, and forge a future where acts of humanity define our world.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
