The Chinese film Dongji Rescue, based on a true World War II maritime tragedy, touched hearts of Hong Kong viewers with the Chinese people's kindness and selflessness.
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 was not carrying the prisoner-of-war markings required by the Geneva Convention. As it sailed near Dongji Island in Zhoushan City in East China, it was mistakenly torpedoed by a U.S. submarine.
After the vessel was hit, more than 300 survivors were rescued by Chinese fishermen in an extraordinary act of wartime bravery and the human compassion.
"I didn't know about this history before watching the movie. The movie delivered a deep, soul-stirring impact to me," said a Hong Kong resident named Gao Hong.
"[The movie] helps Chinese people today understand how great China is, how peace-loving it is, and how it saved so many British people, but no one knows about it. After watching this movie, people now know that we Chinese do not start wars, we are peace-loving people," said another viewer Mr. Ng.
"The Chinese people are incredibly kindhearted. First, [this movie] demonstrates their kindness. Second, it demonstrates their cherishment of every life in society. Furthermore, it demonstrates their spirit of solidarity that goes beyond national borders in resisting the brutality of fascism. This film needs to be widely promoted, including through translation into different languages and screenings in different countries," said audience Zheng Zhen.
Film "Dongji Rescue" moves Hong Kong audiences with untold story of courage and compassion
