When they combed the materials, they were again surprised that Cameron actually shot a scene that a Chinese survivor on a wooden board was rescued by a returning lifeboat. Though the scene was deleted for the theatrical release, they knew Cameron knew something, so they contacted him for further interviews and cooperation.
Cameron talked to them and offered to be their executive producer. With Cameron's help, they secured film footages from 20th Century Studios, including the deleted scene. Cameron knew about the Chinese stories and Fang Lang, the last survivor rescued from a floating board, actually inspired him to write how Rose DeWitt Bukater was saved in the final scene of "Titanic."
But the nightmares for Chinese on the real Titanic were not over once they were saved. While other survivors were cheered as heroes, treated in hospitals or transferred to hotels, the six Chinese were barred from entering the US because of the notorious Chinese Exclusion Act. They were reassigned to a fruit freighter docked in New York bound for Cuba, and then continued their life journey marred by disease, hard labor, discrimination, racism, rumors and being forgotten, as did many other early-generation immigrants.
"I wanted to explore humanity's racism and bias. I feel that we can still learn from the past. I believe my film also connects to the current reality, like what's happening with Asian hate now. When we first started the project, people worldwide haven't talked about it like today," Jones said.
"I think the film shows how the six Chinese survivors always experienced hardship and difficulties in their lives, but kept moving forward. Their spirit can inspire the world," Schwankert added.
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