Dongji Island

Plot Summary
Dongji Island is based on an astonishing wartime rescue in the Zhoushan sea area during World War II. In October 1942, the Japanese transport ship Lisbon Maru, carrying thousands of British prisoners of war (POWs), was sunk, trapping POWs inside the ship's hold and leaving their lives hanging by a thread. At that moment, local fishermen from Dongji Island risked their lives—braving bullets and turbulent seas—to launch a rescue mission, giving the POWs a chance to survive. The narrative focuses on human kindness and collective courage, re-creating that moment of heroic rescue through a true historical event, portraying Chinese fishermen as gentle yet resolute. The film took six years of preparation and 200 days of shooting to achieve high-fidelity historical recreation and authentic scenic restoration of a rarely remembered epic moment.

Top 10 Highlights of Dongji Island

Based on True History, Strong Sense of Mission
Adapted from the real historical event in which British POWs were rescued at sea by Chinese fishermen, the film is filled with epic intensity and deep humanistic sentiment.

Top-tier Directorial Team
Master and apprentice Guan Hu and Fei Zhenxiang co-directed the film, achieving a high level of synergy from script conception to on-site filming, making the movie embody both commercial appeal and artistic spirit.

Three Leading Actors Star Together
Zhu Yilong, Wu Lei, and Ni Ni form a golden lineup, with their acting skills and personas adding strong appeal and boosting the film’s attention.

On-location Construction with High-Fidelity Set Design
The sets include a real fishing village built on Dongji Island and a full-scale 1:1 replica of the prisoner-of-war ship, immersing the audience in the experience.

IMAX Special Aspect Ratio Filming
Filmed using the IMAX 1.9:1 special aspect ratio to create a visually stunning and immersive viewing experience.

Epic On-Water Filming
Actors actually performed underwater scenes, completing highly challenging underwater sequences, breaking through visual and technical barriers.

International Distribution and Global Exposure
The film was released not only in China but also in Australia and New Zealand, North America, the United Kingdom, and Hong Kong, reaching an international audience.

Profound and Thought-Provoking Theme
The film is neither just a spectacular rescue story nor a purely commercial movie; instead, it reflects on historical and ethical values through the selfless courage of ordinary fishermen.

Strong Presence at Film Festivals and Red Carpet Promotions
The film has been featured at multiple promotional events, including the Shanghai International Film Festival, Beijing International Film Festival, and Cannes Film Market, garnering significant industry attention.

Highly Anticipated Summer Release with Both Commercial Appeal and Emotional Depth
As a major domestic release for the summer of 2025, the film achieves a high level of integration between emotional storytelling and historical context, making it an excellent choice for summer moviegoers.

Summary
Dongji Island (also known as Dongji Rescue) is a war drama film that combines historical depth with human warmth. Based on true events, the production involved extensive on-location filming, IMAX format, and international festival promotions. It is not only an audiovisual work but also a profound historical memory, recreating the cross-cultural faith and heroic deeds of Chinese fishermen rescuing British war prisoners at sea. For audiences who appreciate historical epics, explorations of humanity, and stunning visuals, this film is definitely worth an in-depth viewing.