🎬 83 years ago, the Lisbon Maru set sail from Hong Kong region to Japan carrying 1,816 British POWs captured by the Japanese. Off Dongji Island in Zhejiang province on the Chinese mainland, the ship was hit by a torpedo fired by an American submarine. As the vessel began to sink, some soldiers made it into the water—only to face Japanese fire.
🚤 In the middle of this chaos, local fishermen risked everything. With simple boats and big hearts, they navigated mine-infested waters and pulled survivors to safety. Their bravery has long been a quiet footnote in history—until now.
🎥 Enter Director Fang Li. After eight years of research, scripting, and filming, he unveils The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru, a movie that shines a light on this forgotten chapter of WWII. In an interview with CGTN’s Mike Walter, Fang Li opens up about:
- 📖 The creative journey: diving into archives, collecting survivor stories, and blending fact with cinematic flair.
- 🎨 Balancing history and storytelling: making sure every scene respects real events while engaging today’s audiences.
- 💭 Personal reflections on war: how reliving these moments reshaped his view on courage, humanity, and reconciliation.
With a mix of tension, hope, and heart, The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru invites viewers to remember the power of ordinary heroes. This film is more than a WWII drama—it’s a tribute to the unsung fishermen of the Chinese mainland who braved danger for the sake of humanity. 🌊✨
Catch Fang Li’s film and dive into a story where history meets heroism, reminding us that even in dark times, compassion can be our greatest weapon.
Reference(s):
Interview with Fang Li, Director of "The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru"
cgtn.com
