DIRECTOR: Fang Li
STARRING: documentary
RUNNING TIME: 2 hrs 2 minutes
LANGUAGE: Mandarin, English
This is the "Dunkirk" of the East, a documentary movie commemorating the great feat of Chinese fishermen. Filmmaker Fang Li and the film crew try to find the truth of the World War II "Death Ship" - Lisbon Maru.
***
This film is the directorial debut for Fang Li. He was originally a geophysicist and marine technical expert, and later engaged in film. In 2014, when he was supervising Han Han's work No Future, he accidentally heard local fishermen tell the story of the Lisbon Maru. From the time he learned about this, he led a team to explore and to find the shipwreck. "After finding the ship, I want to find people related to the ship and want to know their stories and what they have experienced 82 years ago. This is how the story was dug up. Now, it's time to tell them to more people," Fang Li said. The film made its worldwide debut at the BFI London Film Festival in August 2023, before heading to the Shanghai Film Festival in June 2024. It has since debuted in theatres across China.
It was announced on September 27th that the documentary The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru will represent China in the competition for the 97th Academy Awards.
The film is produced by Laurel Films and Emei Film Studio.
The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru is a documentary and it was filmed around the Zhoushan Islands, China.
To check out all previous submissions for China, click HERE.
STARRING: documentary
RUNNING TIME: 2 hrs 2 minutes
LANGUAGE: Mandarin, English
This is the "Dunkirk" of the East, a documentary movie commemorating the great feat of Chinese fishermen. Filmmaker Fang Li and the film crew try to find the truth of the World War II "Death Ship" - Lisbon Maru.
***
This film is the directorial debut for Fang Li. He was originally a geophysicist and marine technical expert, and later engaged in film. In 2014, when he was supervising Han Han's work No Future, he accidentally heard local fishermen tell the story of the Lisbon Maru. From the time he learned about this, he led a team to explore and to find the shipwreck. "After finding the ship, I want to find people related to the ship and want to know their stories and what they have experienced 82 years ago. This is how the story was dug up. Now, it's time to tell them to more people," Fang Li said. The film made its worldwide debut at the BFI London Film Festival in August 2023, before heading to the Shanghai Film Festival in June 2024. It has since debuted in theatres across China.
It was announced on September 27th that the documentary The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru will represent China in the competition for the 97th Academy Awards.
The film is produced by Laurel Films and Emei Film Studio.
The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru is a documentary and it was filmed around the Zhoushan Islands, China.
To check out all previous submissions for China, click HERE.
FILM REVIEW:
(This review contains spoilers.)
"Who were they? What happened?"
The Sinking of Lisbon Maru is a powerful and evocative documentary that brings to light a remarkable yet largely forgotten WWII episode, offering audiences a poignant reminder of human bravery, resilience, and compassion amidst the darkest of times. Directed by Fang Li, the film masterfully chronicles the harrowing journey of over 1,800 British prisoners of war who endured unimaginable horrors when their transport ship, the Lisbon Maru, was torpedoed off the coast of Zhoushan, China. Fang's commitment to unearthing this historical event has given viewers an experience that is both intensely moving and enlightening, shedding light on a chapter of history that speaks to the human spirit’s triumph over cruelty.
The film stands out for its meticulous historical research and vivid storytelling. Fang Li traveled extensively to interview survivors, descendants, and the families of the brave fishermen who risked their lives to rescue the British POWs. Through personal testimonies and rare archival footage, The Sinking of Lisbon Maru does not merely recount a tragic event; it reconstructs it with stunning authenticity. The director’s dedication to capturing the truth and preserving the memory of those involved allows the audience to connect deeply with the individual lives affected by this tragedy. Fang’s choice to let these stories unfold through the voices of those directly connected to the incident brings an intimacy to the narrative that resonates with viewers on a profound level.
Visually, the film is nothing short of breathtaking. The powerful recreations of wartime brutality are balanced with beautiful, immersive shots of the sea and the Zhoushan coastline, adding a haunting quality to the story. The realistic special effects transport the viewer back to 1942, evoking the tense, desperate moments as the POWs struggled for survival. Fang’s careful pacing and artful cinematography ensure that every shot serves a purpose, allowing the story’s emotional weight to build gradually. This is not a film that hurries through its narrative; instead, it allows the full gravity of each moment to sink in, honoring the memory of those who suffered and those who extended a hand in their time of need.
One of the most impactful aspects of The Sinking of Lisbon Maru is its emphasis on the selfless bravery of the Zhoushan fishermen. Despite the immense danger, these local heroes took it upon themselves to rescue as many POWs as they could, an act of pure compassion that resonates with viewers long after the film ends. Their courage and selflessness, shown as they rowed wooden fishing boats toward the sinking ship under threat of enemy fire, elevate the film from a war documentary to a tribute to human decency and solidarity. The sincerity in their descendants' voices as they recount their ancestors’ actions is deeply moving, reminding viewers of the universal bond of empathy that transcends borders.
In every way, The Sinking of Lisbon Maru is a triumph of storytelling and historical preservation. It educates, inspires, and reminds us of the power of compassion, even in the face of overwhelming odds. The film’s resonance with audiences in China, and likely beyond, underscores the timelessness of its message: that even in times of profound darkness, humanity endures, as does the courage to help one another. Fang Li’s film is an unforgettable cinematic experience that ensures this once-overlooked story will live on, honoring the memory of those who suffered and those who heroically acted to save them.
(This review contains spoilers.)
"Who were they? What happened?"
The Sinking of Lisbon Maru is a powerful and evocative documentary that brings to light a remarkable yet largely forgotten WWII episode, offering audiences a poignant reminder of human bravery, resilience, and compassion amidst the darkest of times. Directed by Fang Li, the film masterfully chronicles the harrowing journey of over 1,800 British prisoners of war who endured unimaginable horrors when their transport ship, the Lisbon Maru, was torpedoed off the coast of Zhoushan, China. Fang's commitment to unearthing this historical event has given viewers an experience that is both intensely moving and enlightening, shedding light on a chapter of history that speaks to the human spirit’s triumph over cruelty.
The film stands out for its meticulous historical research and vivid storytelling. Fang Li traveled extensively to interview survivors, descendants, and the families of the brave fishermen who risked their lives to rescue the British POWs. Through personal testimonies and rare archival footage, The Sinking of Lisbon Maru does not merely recount a tragic event; it reconstructs it with stunning authenticity. The director’s dedication to capturing the truth and preserving the memory of those involved allows the audience to connect deeply with the individual lives affected by this tragedy. Fang’s choice to let these stories unfold through the voices of those directly connected to the incident brings an intimacy to the narrative that resonates with viewers on a profound level.
Visually, the film is nothing short of breathtaking. The powerful recreations of wartime brutality are balanced with beautiful, immersive shots of the sea and the Zhoushan coastline, adding a haunting quality to the story. The realistic special effects transport the viewer back to 1942, evoking the tense, desperate moments as the POWs struggled for survival. Fang’s careful pacing and artful cinematography ensure that every shot serves a purpose, allowing the story’s emotional weight to build gradually. This is not a film that hurries through its narrative; instead, it allows the full gravity of each moment to sink in, honoring the memory of those who suffered and those who extended a hand in their time of need.
One of the most impactful aspects of The Sinking of Lisbon Maru is its emphasis on the selfless bravery of the Zhoushan fishermen. Despite the immense danger, these local heroes took it upon themselves to rescue as many POWs as they could, an act of pure compassion that resonates with viewers long after the film ends. Their courage and selflessness, shown as they rowed wooden fishing boats toward the sinking ship under threat of enemy fire, elevate the film from a war documentary to a tribute to human decency and solidarity. The sincerity in their descendants' voices as they recount their ancestors’ actions is deeply moving, reminding viewers of the universal bond of empathy that transcends borders.
In every way, The Sinking of Lisbon Maru is a triumph of storytelling and historical preservation. It educates, inspires, and reminds us of the power of compassion, even in the face of overwhelming odds. The film’s resonance with audiences in China, and likely beyond, underscores the timelessness of its message: that even in times of profound darkness, humanity endures, as does the courage to help one another. Fang Li’s film is an unforgettable cinematic experience that ensures this once-overlooked story will live on, honoring the memory of those who suffered and those who heroically acted to save them.
