The Canadian premiere of Dongji Rescue on August 22 drew a deeply emotional response from audiences, with one woman saying the film shed light on Japan’s wartime invasion, which she felt was still under-recognized internationally, adding that the story left her in tears and inspired pride in the resilience of the Chinese spirit.

Dongji Rescue is a 2025 Chinese historical drama directed by Guan Hu and Fei Zhenxiang. The film tells the story of the Lisbon Maru, a Japanese ship carrying British prisoners of war that was torpedoed off the coast of Zhoushan in 1942. Trapped below deck, hundreds of POWs faced certain death as Japanese soldiers sealed the holds. In defiance of danger, local fishermen from Dongji Island risked their lives under heavy fire to rescue hundreds of survivors. With sweeping visuals and a powerful retelling of this little-known chapter of World War II, the film highlights both the brutality of imperialist war and the courage of ordinary people who chose to act.

Since its premiere in China earlier this month, Dongji Rescue has drawn international attention, with screenings in London, North America, and beyond. Audiences have praised its emotional storytelling and striking cinematography, filmed with IMAX cameras on an $80 million budget. In China, it’s already a box office success, earning strong reviews from viewers who describe it as both heartbreaking and inspiring. Abroad, audiences and critics alike have noted the film’s ability to shed light on China’s role in World War II, offering a perspective that is often overlooked. For many, the movie has been not just a cinematic experience but also an important history lesson.

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