Eighty-three years ago, a Japanese ship named Lisbon Maru sank near Dongji Island, Zhejiang, carrying 1,816 British POWs. Torpedoed by an American submarine in 1942, the tragedy took a shocking turn: Japanese troops opened fire on escaping soldiers. But amid the chaos, local Chinese fishermen braved bullets to rescue 384 survivors—a story buried by time, until now.
‘Their Courage Deserved a Spotlight’
Director Fang Li spent 8 years diving into archives and interviewing descendants to piece together this forgotten chapter. His documentary, The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru, blends historical footage and reenactments to honor the fishermen’s bravery. 🎞️ ‘These villagers risked everything,’ Fang told CGTN’s Mike Walter. ‘Their humanity transcends war.’
War, Memory, and the Power of Film
Fang’s project isn’t just about the past. ‘War divides, but compassion connects,’ he says. The film also explores how trauma echoes across generations—and why such stories matter today. 🌍 ‘Remembering these acts reminds us what we’re capable of, even in darkness.’
👉 Catch the documentary streaming now, and witness a slice of history that refused to sink.
