China's World War II film "Dongji Rescue", depicting Chinese civilians' heroic deeds of rescuing British prisoners of war captured by the Japanese army from a shipwreck, has struck an emotional chord with Canadian audience since its North American premiere on Friday.
The highly-anticipated film is based on a true story that took place in October 1942, when the Lisbon Maru, a cargo ship requisitioned by the Japanese army to transport more than 1,800 British prisoners of war (POWs) from Hong Kong to Japan, was torpedoed by a U.S. submarine off the Zhoushan Islands in China's Zhejiang Province. Local fishermen from Dongji Island risked their lives to rescue more than 300 of the POWs.
"A lot of people did die during the World War II, obviously like my great grandfather was in the war as well. So it's good that we're to see this and, younger generations especially like mine, they're able to learn and actually understand what happened and we can learn from our mistakes as well," said Keith Munro, manager of a cinema in Vancouver.
"Because I haven't seen this kind of movie before and I haven't done enough reading about Chinese perspective in the history of the World War II. Yes, I think it's been a really important learning experience," said Sandra, a moviegoer.
"What comes across from both the Chinese movies that I've seen which are 'Dead to Rights' and this one [Dongji Rescue], the Japanese brutality was extreme and just imperialism basically is so hard to watch. The both movies were really quite brutal and I think that's a real portrayal of what did happen. I think it's horrendous," said Norm, another moviegoer.
"This film really touched me. It's really touching to have such a piece of history to introduce to young people who don't know about it, especially the overseas ones. I even want to make a special trip to Dongji Island next year to have a deeper understanding of this period of history," said an overseas Chinese in Canada.
"This historical event during Japan's aggression against China might have been unknown to many people around the world due to information blockage from Japan. But I believe that through these films, more people will get to know and remember this fact, and become more aware of how important peace is," said Li, another overseas Chinese in Canada.
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.
Directed by Chinese filmmaker Guan Hu, a Cannes award winner, alongside Fei Zhenxiang, the film stars Zhu Yilong, Wu Lei, Ni Ni and British actor William Franklyn-Miller.
China's WWII film "Dongji Rescue" strikes chord with Canadian audience
