In a striking cinematic homage, directors Guan Hu (Dongji Rescue) and Fang Li (The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru) recently sparked intrigue by wearing T-shirts bearing the exact coordinates of the sunken WWII ship Lisbon Maru. The subtle yet powerful gesture underscores their shared mission: resurrecting a nearly forgotten chapter of wartime heroism.
Both films spotlight the daring 1942 rescue of 384 British POWs by Chinese fishermen off the coast of Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, after Japanese forces torpedoed the Lisbon Maru. While Guan Hu's Dongji Rescue dramatizes the fishermen's perilous mission, Fang Li's documentary-style re-release provides historical context through survivor accounts and archival footage.
The coordinates on their shirts – 30°13'44"N, 122°45'60"E – mark where the vessel rests, serving as both a memorial and call to remembrance. Their August 15 releases coincided with Japan's WWII surrender anniversary, reigniting discussions about Asia's wartime narratives and cross-cultural solidarity.
For historians and diaspora communities, these works fill critical gaps in Sino-British shared history. Business analysts note growing investor interest in Asia's historical film market, while travelers are exploring Zhoushan's newly promoted 'maritime heritage trails.'
