The newly-released movie "Dead To Rights," a Chinese historical film about the 1937 Nanjing Massacre, performed strongly at the box office, sparking nationwide reflection in China and igniting global discussion after it made premiere in several other countries including the United States and Canada.
As this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, "Dead To Rights" stands at the heart of a wave of new films and theatrical works commemorating this pivotal chapter in history.
Released on July 25, the film has already grossed over 2.1 billion yuan (about 292 million U.S. dollars) in just 17 days -- a remarkable achievement that underscores its powerful resonance with viewers.
To bring the movie to the screen, the producing team began with extensive research in 2023, collecting nearly 10 million words of archival material.
"We stayed rooted in historical truth, while daring to explore artistically. Ultimately, we hope that the combined force formed by this rigorous historical attitude and bold artistic exploration can create an exit effect in the audience's viewing experience. This exit effect is like the saying: 'When leaving the cinema, it's like walking through a long time passage.' From the massacre which took place 88 years ago, we seem to have emerged like survivors," said Zhang Ke, screenwriter of the movie.
In China, many parents are bringing their children to the cinema for this movie, hoping that the younger generations can remember the history.
"I hope children can learn the truth of history through as many channels as possible," said Hou, a moviegoer in Beijing.
The film made its debut in various regions across Canada, including Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver, on Thursday, and is set to be officially screened in the country on Aug 15.
"It was hard to look at some of the scenes that were so real. The movie felt so real to me, so that it was painful sometimes, but I think it needs to be said," said a Canadian moviegoer after watching the movie at premiere.
The North American premiere of the film was held on Wednesday at a cinema in Washington, with more than 200 guests from various sectors attending the event.
Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng also attended the premiere event, calling for strengthened cooperation in maintaining global peace in the new era.
The screenwriter of the movie also stressed the film's extraordinary significance in the current international environment.
"We are telling a Chinese story, and in the global narrative of World War II, we have a responsibility to tell the world what the Chinese people endured and how we resisted, and what was China's role in the war," he said.
The Nanjing Massacre took place when Japanese troops captured the then-Chinese capital on Dec 13, 1937. Over the course of six weeks, they killed approximately 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers in one of the most barbaric episodes of World War II.
Nanjing Massacre film "Dead To Rights" ignites global discussion
Nanjing Massacre film "Dead To Rights" ignites global discussion
