War epic 'Dong Ji Island' promoted at Cannes

A 17-minute promo of "Dong Ji Island" was screened on May 14 at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, offering audiences a preview of the upcoming war epic.

The first still released from "Dong Ji Island." [Photo courtesy of Seventh Art Pictures]

Co-directed by Guan Hu and Fei Zhenxiang, and starring Zhu Yilong, Wu Lei and Ni Ni, the film is based on real events during the Second World War in 1942. It follows Chinese fishermen who embark on a perilous journey to rescue British prisoners of war held by the Japanese army aboard the Lisbon Maru, saving 384 POWs after the ship was torpedoed and sunk by a U.S. submarine. 

The film's release also commemorates the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Producers said this transnational story of humanity showcases the universal values of compassion and courage displayed by Chinese fishermen during wartime, which will surely resonate with global audiences.

This forgotten chapter of history was revealed in last year's acclaimed documentary "The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru" directed by Fang Li. Now, "Dong Ji Island" brings the story to life as a feature film with an $80 million budget. The production's massive scale created unprecedented challenges in Chinese cinema, involving replica sets built on an actual island location, open-sea filming and a full-scale reconstruction of the Lisbon Maru. Directors Guan and Fei led the creative team through six years of preparation and 200 days of filming.

The Chinese poster for "Dong Ji Island." [Image courtesy of Seventh Art Pictures]

Set for summer release in China, Seventh Art Pictures is launching international sales at Cannes for "Dong Ji Island." Director Guan Hu is no stranger to global recognition, having won the Un Certain Regard prize at Cannes last year for "Black Dog." His film "The Eight Hundred," released in 2020, became that year's highest-grossing live-action film worldwide.

The 17 minutes of footage was screened at the Palais at the Marche du Film in Cannes. Bloggers attending the event noted that the film's quality exceeded expectations, praising its stunning visual effects, underwater sequences and inspirational plot. They also highlighted the actors' captivating performances.

The film's actors transformed themselves for their roles, undergoing intense strength and aquatic training amid the island's harsh conditions. Their weathered appearances mirror the fishermen's rugged spirit, and they mastered various boat handling techniques — helping to bring the heroic maritime rescue to life. Meanwhile, the production team meticulously reconstructed 1940s Dongji Island through historical research, replicating everything from coarse cloth vests to the Lisbon Maru incident using archives and survivor accounts, guaranteeing historical precision.

At a film tourism event on May 15 during Cannes, producer Liang Jing revealed: "Local fishermen supported us tremendously during production, assisting us through typhoons and numerous challenges. Audiences will be amazed by what they see on screen."

Liang noted that Dongji Island became a popular destination after last year's documentary "The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru," but she believes the release of "Dong Ji Island" will bring even greater attention and tourism. "It's truly a worthwhile destination," she said. "The sunrise is breathtakingly beautiful."

A new international Cannes poster for "Dong Ji Island." [Image courtesy of Seventh Art Pictures]

The film's official Weibo account simultaneously released an international poster for Cannes captioned: "Crimes sank with the colossal warship, but some salvaged humanity and truth. Coming summer 2025 — 'Dong Ji Island'."