The World War II drama Dongji Rescue made its Australian debut at a special reception hosted by China's consulate general in Melbourne, drawing over 200 attendees ahead of its nationwide release. The screening commemorated the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
Chinese Consul-General Fang Xinwen underscored China's pivotal role in the Eastern theater of the global conflict, noting how Chinese fishermen's 1942 rescue of 300 British POWs from the sinking Japanese vessel Lisbon Maru – the film's central story – exemplified wartime cooperation between allies. "China and Australia stood shoulder-to-shoulder against fascism," Fang said, highlighting shared historical struggles.
Australian sinologist Harold Weldon joined other speakers in advocating for historical preservation and peace-building. Post-screening reactions proved visceral, with Melbourne viewer Joe Montero describing "emotional" scenes of communal courage: "A whole village risked everything to save strangers."
Attendee Ben McMahon praised the film's universal message: "It shows that every life matters – nationality and language barriers dissolve when humanity is at stake." The production's focus on cross-cultural compassion resonates amid modern geopolitical tensions, offering timely lessons from history's darkest chapter.
