Two films. One historical event. A fiery debate about storytelling. 🎞️ Directors Guan Hu (Dongji Rescue) and Fang Li (The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru) sat down for a rare face-to-face discussion this week, sparking fresh conversations about how we remember history through art.
💡 Guan Hu’s Dongji Rescue – a high-stakes drama about a WWII maritime disaster – has been praised for its emotional punch. Meanwhile, Fang Li’s documentary The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru digs into archival records and survivor accounts with forensic detail. But which approach gets closer to the truth?
📌 'Art isn’t a history textbook,' Guan argued, comparing filmmaking to 'painting with emotions.' Fang countered: 'Facts are the foundation – but how we assemble them changes everything.' The directors agreed on one thing: both styles aim to make us feel history, not just memorize it.
🌍 Their conversation – peppered with behind-the-scenes stories – reveals why WWII narratives still grip global audiences. As streaming platforms make Asian cinema more accessible than ever, this debate feels especially timely. Which side are you on: Team Drama or Team Documentary? Let us know! 💬
