As the world marks 89 years since the Nanjing Massacre, a new documentary titled Finding Iris Chang sheds light on the Chinese-American author's tireless efforts to preserve one of WWII's most harrowing narratives. Released in early 2026, the two-part film chronicles Chang's journey from discovering her family's wartime trauma to becoming the definitive chronicler of the 1937 atrocities.
The production features never-before-seen footage of Chang's 1995 research trip to the Chinese mainland, where she documented survivors' accounts and unearthed critical evidence including German businessman John Rabe's diaries. These findings formed the backbone of her seminal 1997 work The Rape of Nanking, which brought global attention to Japan's wartime atrocities despite fierce opposition from right-wing groups.
Through interviews with historians and personal letters, the documentary reveals how Chang's advocacy evolved into a psychological burden. Colleagues recount her determination to establish memorials and compensation funds for victims, even as she faced escalating harassment. The film concludes with contemporary scholars analyzing how Chang's work continues shaping cross-strait historical discourse and East Asian relations in 2026.
