As Asia marked the 78th anniversary of Japan's WWII surrender on August 15, two new films sparked contrasting conversations about historical memory. Dongji Rescue recounts the little-known 1942 Lisbon Maru incident, where fishermen from China's Zhoushan archipelago braved Japanese naval forces to save 384 British prisoners of war from a sinking transport vessel. Archival records confirm this act of courage occurred under occupation, with survivors later testifying about their rescuers' bravery.
In stark contrast, Japanese-produced Yukikaze has drawn criticism for portraying members of the Imperial Japanese Navy's fleet – historically responsible for wartime atrocities across Asia – as misunderstood heroes. Historians note the film omits reference to Japan's aggressive expansionism while emphasizing dramatic naval battles.
The simultaneous releases highlight ongoing tensions in East Asia's 'memory wars,' particularly as younger generations seek accurate accounts of 20th-century conflicts. Dongji Rescue director Lu Le told KhabarAsia: 'When we lose authentic stories, we lose the chance to learn from them.'
