The Chinese-produced World War II film Dongji Rescue has begun screening in Malaysia, conveying a message of peace and the brotherhood of humanity that has resonated with local audiences.
The film recounts the story of how Chinese fishermen risked their lives to rescue more than 300 British prisoners of war (POWs) from a Japanese ship in 1942.
In October 1942, the Lisbon Maru, a cargo vessel requisitioned by the Japanese army to carry more than 1,800 British POWs from Hong Kong to Japan, was hit by the U.S. army off the Zhoushan Islands, China's Zhejiang Province.
Malaysian viewers said the story has important lessons for today's world as conflicts continue to rage on.
"There should not be so many wars in the world. We should remember history so that we can put a stop to wars. It's a bit of cruel story, because it shows that the Japanese army indiscriminately killed prisoners of war," said a local named Ng Chee Han while sharing his reflections on the film.
"As I see it, those fishermen were just like normal human beings, but they think that they have the duty, as human nature, to save a life. Even though they are just normal human, but in the end they become heroes. It's very powerful, even the soundtrack, the cinematography, everything is fantastic," said another resident named Aasta Odinaa.
Dongji Rescue had earlier premiered in countries including the UK and Australia.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. On the main Eastern battlefield, China's resistance efforts were decisive in defeating Japanese fascism and supporting other fronts in Europe and Asia.
Humanity of fishermen depicted in Chinese WWII film moves Malaysian viewers
