In a blockbuster summer, the film Dead To Rights has taken the Chinese mainland box office by storm 🎬! Surpassing 1 billion yuan in just eight days, it has captured the attention of over 30 million viewers and topped charts in every provincial-level region.
Directed by Shen Ao, this powerful film tells the extraordinary story of Chinese civilians seeking refuge in a photography studio during the Nanjing Massacre. Forced to develop film for a Japanese military photographer, they uncover hidden negatives that reveal the harrowing truth of wartime atrocities. As director Shen Ao puts it, "In that era, photographs usually preserved life's most cherished moments, but during the Nanjing Massacre, they were weaponized for propaganda."
Critics and audiences alike have been moved by the film's simplicity and restraint. With an impressive Douban rating of 8.6, viewers remark that the haunting imagery – such as a knife held to a baby and a red river of blood – speaks louder than words. One Maoyan viewer captured the sentiment perfectly when a young girl asked for extra scenes after the film, only to be told that "the real post-credit scene begins when we step out of the cinema."
Film veteran Feng Xiaoning has hailed Dead To Rights as "a new high point for Chinese cinema." His remarks highlight the film's profound impact, leaving audiences deep in thought long after the credits rolled. With projections now set for over 4 billion yuan in total revenue, this film is poised to become one of the year's most significant cinematic successes, second only to Ne Zha 2.
Dead To Rights not only represents a remarkable box office achievement but also serves as a stirring reminder of the sacrifices made to preserve history. It inspires us to cherish the peace and vibrancy of modern life, making every cinema visit a powerful journey through time.
Reference(s):
Nanjing Massacre film takes China's box office by storm, tops 1b yuan
cgtn.com
