The Chinese film on the Nanjing Massacre during World War II "Dead To Rights" debuted in Australia's Melbourne on Thursday, resonating strongly with the audience.
The film centers on a group of Chinese civilians who took refuge in a photography studio during the Japanese invading troops' brutal occupation of Nanjing in 1937. In a desperate attempt to stay alive, they were forced to assist a Japanese military photographer in developing film -- only to discover that the negatives contain damning evidence of atrocities committed by Japanese forces across the city. They secretly kept the negatives and risked their lives to deliver them to the outside world, hoping that the truth would be revealed.
At the screening, the atmosphere was solemn and respectful as the entire audience rose for a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the Nanjing Massacre.
"As Chinese students, we must remember the history and treasure the hard-won peace we have today. Only by keeping an untiring spirit and remaining unyielding can we prevent such tragedies from happening again," said an overseas Chinese student at the premiere.
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.
The film has maintained its dominance at China's summer box office, grossing more than two billion yuan (about 278.49 million U.S. dollars) as of Saturday morning, since it hit cinemas on July 25.
Film on Nanjing Massacre debuts in Australia
The Republic of Korea (ROK)'s former impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol on Friday was sentenced to five years in prison on arrest obstruction charges.
The criminal division of the Seoul Central District Court in charge of Yoon's obstruction of justice case handed down the prison sentence to Yoon for abusing the presidential security service to hinder the anti-corruption agency from executing its arrest warrant in January 2025.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) was once thwarted in its attempt to arrest Yoon as the presidential security service formed human shields and bus blockades to prevent investigators from entering the presidential residence.
The team of Cho Eun-suk, an independent counsel who led investigations into Yoon's insurrection and other charges, demanded a 10-year prison term for Yoon.
The court said Yoon privatized the presidential security service for personal safety and private interests by blocking the law enforcement agencies' lawful execution of an arrest warrant and attempting to destroy evidence, pointing out that despite the very bad nature of his crime, he consistently offered unconvincing excuses and showed no remorse.
The court stressed that severe punishment was necessary, considering the need to restore the rule of law damaged by Yoon's crime, but it noted that the fact that he was a first-time offender with no criminal record was considered a favorable factor.
The sentencing, which was broadcast live, was Yoon's first verdict coming from his botched martial law bid.
The first-instance sentencing for Yoon's insurrection charges was scheduled for Feb 19. The special counsel sought a death penalty for Yoon on the charges.
Yoon declared emergency martial law on the night of Dec 3 in 2024, but it was revoked hours later by the National Assembly.
The constitutional court upheld a motion to impeach Yoon in April 2025, officially removing him from office.
The ousted leader was indicted while in detention in January 2025 on charges of leading an insurrection, becoming the first sitting ROK president facing such prosecution.
ROK ex-president Yoon sentenced to 5 years in prison on arrest obstruction charges
