THE SINKING OF THE LISBON MARU
里斯本丸沉没
Director: Fang Li | Co-directors: Ming Fan, Lily Gong
Cast: Brian Finch, Tony Banham, Lin Agen, Dennis Morley, William Beningfield
117 mins | Documentary | English, Chinese, Japanese | China | 2024
Marginalized by dominant historical narratives, one of the Pacific War's deadliest disasters caused by "friendly fire" among Allied forces—the sinking of Lisbon Maru—has remained largely unheard by most.
In October 1942, off China's eastern coast, an American submarine torpedoed what it believed to be a Japanese troopship, unaware that the vessel was actually a "hellship" carrying 1,816 Allied prisoners of war. When the Lisbon Maru began to sink, Japanese forces abandoned the vessel, leaving the British POWs battened below deck to face certain death. Some prisoners managed to break free and reach the water, only to face merciless gunfire from Japanese soldiers. In the chaos, 828 men were either shot or drowned.
The unfolding tragedy caught the attention of Chinese fishermen on nearby islands. Risking their own lives under enemy fire, an entire village of courageous civilians paddled hundreds of sampans into the deadly waters to rescue survivors. Their efforts ultimately halted the Japanese assault, saving 988 lives.
Seventy-two years later, while on the same island, renowned geophysicist and film producer Fang Li learned of this anecdote from a villager. He knew that time was running out to preserve this buried chapter of history. His years-long quest to uncover the truth is captured in this documentary, China's official entry for the Academy Awards' International Feature Film category as well as a surprise box office hit in the country.
Through meticulous research of historical records and deeply personal interviews with survivors and their families from all sides of the conflict, The Sinking of Lisbon Maru weaves together a comprehensive and vivid reconstruction of this tragic event. The film's intimate storytelling delivers profound emotional impact while highlighting how civilian voices have often been overlooked in history. Though the pain and trauma of war continue to haunt the families across generations, the documentary ultimately reveals how humanity's limitless resilience, compassion, and courage can triumph even in the most unimaginable circumstances.
“This enthralling and shattering Chinese documentary benefits from superb material...Directors Fang Li, Ming Fan and Lily Gong do an exemplary job of recounting this tragedy from the British, Chinese and (to some extent) Japanese perspectives with a piercing empathy. Fang’s even-handed humanism allows him to excavate this emotional wreckage on all sides... it’s potent stuff; it’s hard to see a blockbuster treatment being more affecting than this.”
“There’s archival footage of the war, and there’s an animated retelling of the events, but at the heart of this often-gripping and heartbreaking film are the people and the very personal stories within the larger story. The real power — the pure emotion — then comes from the survivors, and the families of those who either survived or perished.”
“Tragic as it is, the film also feels like a thriller in places, and despite the volume of information involved it is never dry. It succeeds in taking a neglected chapter of wartime history and making it feel like part of the present moment. A surprisingly optimistic piece of work, it’s a moving tribute to all those who were lost...It’s an extraordinarily thorough film.”
COMING TO VOD
“This is important...nothing short of a miracle. Uncovering any trace of the story was like going on a treasure hunt. I thought I would get a quick retelling of the event, but director Fang Li offers so much more. He honored the men who were lost by telling their stories...the film conveys a sense of urgency...the film’s two-hour runtime never feels long or labored. Its stories and interviews are engaging and do nothing but lift up the memories of the Greatest Generation.”
“One of the most extraordinary stories from World War II, paradoxically, is one of the least known. The Oscar-Contending Doc tells an incredible story of villainy and heroism.”
AWARDS
Golden Rooster Awards
Winner, Best Documentary
Shanghai International Film Festival
Winner, Documentary Film of the Year
China Film Directors' Guild Awards
Nominee, Best Director
Winner, Best Picture
Shanghai Film Critics Awards
Winner, Film of Merit