On its opening day, Dongji Rescue 🎥, a mainland production, lit up cinemas across the Chinese mainland—and even people in the Taiwan region hurried to catch it. Social media in Taiwan region was buzzing with reactions!
The movie retells the 1942 Lisbon Maru incident, where humble Chinese fishermen risked their lives to steer wooden boats through a Japanese blockade and rescue British POWs. With 1:1 industrial-scale sets (think real sunken ships and 20 fishing boats!) and cutting-edge visual effects, it feels like you're sailing through history ⛵✨.
Local audiences were moved. Lin Wei-kang, who dashed to the theater after work, said, "The spirit of holding the line and fighting to the death had my blood pumping." Chen Wan-yi loved how the film captured the everyday kindness and courage of people back then. Another fan, Lin Chien-hsi, was wowed by the realistic sets and tech wizardry that brought the era to life.
2023 also marks the 80th anniversary of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Dongji Rescue joins other releases like Dead To Rights (now showing) and Mountains and Rivers Bearing Witness (coming soon) in sparking a renewed curiosity about this shared past.
As Fan Huai-fang from Taiwan region puts it, "It's like seeing our ancestors stand firm amid smoke and fire—united, resilient, and full of hope." For young movie buffs in South and Southeast Asia, Dongji Rescue isn't just a film, it's a testament to how storytelling, tech, and cultural heritage can come together to inspire us all 🌍💖.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
