"Dongji Rescue" film hailed for showcasing China's humanitarian spirit during World War II

China

"Dongji Rescue" film hailed for showcasing China's humanitarian spirit during World War II

2025-08-09 16:56 Last Updated At：08-10 02:07

The historical war movie "Dongji Rescue" has shed lights on the humanitarian spirit of the Chinese people during wartime, while reminding people to cherish today's peace.

The highly anticipated film made a strong debut on its opening day Friday, raking in approximately 350 million yuan (about 50 million U.S. dollars) at the box office.

Inspired by the 1942 Dongji Island Rescue, the film brings to light an overlooked chapter of history through the lens of ordinary Chinese fishermen.

In 1942, the Japanese military commandeered the ship "Lisbon Maru" to transport over 1,800 British prisoners of war from Hong Kong to Japan, but the ship lacked required prisoner-of-war markings required by the Geneva Convention. As it sailed near Dongji Island of Zhoushan City in East China, it was mistakenly torpedoed by a U.S. submarine.

After the vessel was mistakenly struck by an American submarine off the island, more than 300 survivors were rescued by Chinese fishermen in an extraordinary act of wartime bravery and the human compassion.

"Why did fishermen risk their own lives to save others despite the danger? I think it was because of their humanity. The film's ending mentions 'courage', but I believe what comes before courage is the brilliance of human nature," said Lu Lu, a moviegoer.

Directed by acclaimed Chinese filmmaker Guan Hu, "Dongji Rescue" shifts focus from grand military narratives to the personal experiences of everyday heroes.

"It's really a strong and powerful scene to just like see it on the screen, because you don’t see it nowadays, we don't have wars and things going on right now. It just makes me really happy that I'm in this peaceful era," said Weng Yefei, another moviegoer.

"I find it hard to calm my emotions, as so many film scenes flooded my mind. Because they are sincere and plain by nature, those fishermen uphold a tradition of 'rescuing those in peril without hesitation', which is a virtue deeply rooted in the mind of the Chinese nation," said Song Minci, another moviegoer.

The production team said they had made preparations for six years, including the construction of film sets both on the island and under water, and spent seven months in filming.

Following its nationwide screening in China, "Dongji Rescue" will be released in the United Kingdom and Ireland on Aug 22.

Milano-Cortina Paralympics reveal opening, closing themes as Games draw near

The organizing committee of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games has unveiled the titles, creative visions, and first talents of the opening and closing ceremonies, as Thursday marked 50 days before the event officially gets underway.

Scheduled from March 6 to 15 across multiple Italian cities, the Games will bring together 665 athletes from 50 countries and regions to compete for 79 gold medals across six sporting disciplines.

The opening ceremony, titled "Life in Motion," will be staged at the historic Arena di Verona, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, presenting a tribute to change and transformation that seeks to redefine disability through a new harmony between people and the environment.

"I paid close attention to the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics, which I consider one of the three or four most beautiful in the history of Olympic ceremonies. This time at the ancient Arena di Verona, we will place greater emphasis on showcasing the human element," the ceremonies' artistic director Alfredo Accatino told a Chinese reporter at the event.

The closing ceremony, themed "Italian Souvenir," will be held on March 15 at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, guiding athletes, volunteers, and fans through a journey that captures the emotions and memories of the Games after days of competition and achievement.

Craig Spence, the International Paralympic Committee's Chief Brand and Communications Officer, believes that Italy will deliver "the best Paralympic Games" following the benchmark set by the Beijing Winter Paralympics in 2022.

"I think what China did in Beijing has really set the benchmark for all future teams competing in the Paralympic Winter Games in terms of performance. That's why I think Milano-Cortina will be the best Paralympic Games we've ever seen for sports," he said.