Dong Ji Dao

Before watching Dongji Rescue,I re-watched the documentary The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru-a movie I highly recommend. It deepened my appreciation for the film's historical weight and emotional stakes.

Walking out of the theater, I was left with a quiet, overwhelming feeling. This is a film that demands to be seen on the big screen. It's not a fleeting spectacle but a visceral, textured experience. The visual effects are stunning, immersing you in moments so intense they make your heart race and your fists clench. The pacing is relentless, with conflicts erupting one after another, each hitting like a gut punch. There were scenes where I found myself holding my breath, tears pricking at my eyes.

What truly anchored the film for me were its characters. The director's portrayal of the "pirate brothers"-Adang (played by Wu Lei) and Abi (Zhu Yilong)-is masterful. Their dynamic serves as a thread that weaves the harrowing true story of the Lisbon Maru sinking into the narrative. Both actors deliver raw, nuanced performances, embodying the fear, resolve, and quiet heroism of countless Dongji Island fishermen from that era.

But the film's strength lies in its ensemble. Every character feels alive-flawed, human, and unforgettable. You see their terror and hesitation, yet also their courage and defiance. The director captures the grit and glory of ordinary people pushed to extraordinary acts, refusing to reduce them to mere background figures.

Some have compared this to Nanjing! Nanjing!, but I see no need for such rivalry. Both films are powerful, worthy of theaters, and offer distinct lenses into history. To pit one against the other feels unnecessary.

Ultimately, Dongji Rescue succeeds in its simplest, most profound goal: ensuring this chapter of history is seen, felt, and remembered. For that alone, it's a triumph.

The film Dongji Rescue is a remarkable portrayal of the kindness, bravery, and sense of responsibility inherent in the Chinese people, embodying the true spirit of humanitarianism. As this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the international anti-fascist war, it is our hope that such an outstanding film will help more people understand the sobering truths of history.

Grateful that I managed to catch this movie while I'm in China for holiday. The overall presentation of the movie was great! The soundscape, the different scenes, the plot, the relationship and struggle between the different characters.

After the whole movie, I left the theatre with a heavy heart but at the same time, thankful that the fishermen on Dongji Island have lend a hand to the POW from British.

History shall never be forgotten and history shall never be amended.

Dong Ji Dao is a film that condenses historical memory and the brilliance of humanity onto the big screen. It not only recreates the heroic maritime rescue by Zhoushan fishermen 83 years ago, but also truthfully presents the courage and kindness deeply rooted in their very bones. This is not merely a local memory - it is a story the whole world should witness.

The film's visual power is truly breathtaking. Whether it's the roaring waves of the sea, the sight of hundreds of fishing boats rushing to save lives, or the resistance that emerges after enduring oppression, each scene makes the audience feel as if they have traveled through time to personally experience those thrilling moments. This approach of revealing the truth through images makes the film not only an artistic expression but also a historical testimony.

Among the many moving characters, Zhu Yilong portrayal of A'Bi is undoubtedly the most stunning highlight of the film. Every scene featuring A'Bi is a moment of brilliance. Zhu Yilong performance is layered - combining the rugged courage of a warrior with the tender love and protection for his younger brother - moving audiences deeply.

With his portrayal of Abi in Dongji Rescue, Zhu Yilong delivers yet another masterclass in character acting - a raw, nuanced study of a fisherman's metamorphosis that now stands proudly among his most iconic roles: the chillingly convincing villain He Fei in Lost in the Stars, the deeply moving Sange in Lighting Up the Stars, and the psychologically complex Ma Zhe in Only the River Flows. In this career-defining performance, Zhu charts Abi's journey from reluctant protector to battle-hardened warrior with such visceral authenticity that it transcends language barriers.

Zhu's complete physical immersion impresses audiences from the first frame. To embody Abi's rugged fisherman physique, he achieved an astonishing 9.5% body fat through grueling preparation. But his commitment extends far beyond aesthetics - in breathtaking underwater sequences (performed without stunt doubles), Zhu trained to hold his breath for 4.5 minutes and free-dive 15 meters, creating action scenes of unparalleled realism where every gasp for air feels viscerally real.

Zhu's genius shines through his mastery of micro-expressions and body language. Through Zhu's layered performance, Abi becomes more than a wartime protagonist - he embodies the dualities of human nature itself. We see the primal survival instinct of a cornered animal, the burning rage of vengeance, yet always the underlying compassion of China's fishing communities. Zhu refuses to play him as a nationalist symbol or action hero, but as a profoundly relatable man whose courage springs not from ideology, but from love for his loved ones.

To fully appreciate both Zhu's physical performance and the film's brilliant cinematography, Dongji Rescue demands to be seen in IMAX.