🎥 DONGJI ISLAND (2025): A Powerful War Drama Unfolding with Heroism, Plot Twists & a Stellar Cast

DONGJI ISLAND (2025): A Heroic Tale of Courage from the Depths of War

Release Date: August 8, 2025

Genre: Action • War • Drama

In a year filled with epic war films and heartfelt historical dramas, Dongji Island emerges as one of the most stirring tributes to unsung heroes. Directed by Hu Guan (The Eight Hundred) and Zhenxiang Fei, and starring a powerhouse cast that includes Yilong Zhu, Leo Wu, and Ni Ni, this gripping war-action film revisits a long-overlooked yet deeply moving true story from World War II.

🛳️ The True Story Behind the Film

Set in 1942, Dongji Island dramatizes the extraordinary real-life events surrounding the sinking of the Japanese cargo ship “Lisbon Maru”, which was secretly transporting over 1,800 British prisoners of war. After the vessel was torpedoed by a U.S. submarine near the Zhoushan Archipelago in the East China Sea, the fate of these prisoners hung in the balance.

As chaos unfolded, it wasn’t military rescue forces or diplomatic intervention that came to their aid — it was a group of humble Dongji Island fishermen, who risked their lives to pull hundreds of stranded soldiers from the sea.

Despite the overwhelming presence of Japanese patrols, the fishermen rescued over 300 British servicemen, and later hid and protected three survivors, evading capture during intense search efforts by Japanese forces. Their bravery remains one of the most powerful untold acts of resistance and compassion during the war.

🎭 Starring:

• Yilong Zhu (Lighting Up the Stars) as a determined fisherman and unlikely hero

• Leo Wu (The Wandering Earth) as a young local caught between duty and survival

• Ni Ni (The Flowers of War) as a courageous village nurse who aids in the rescue

• Haoyu Yang in a key supporting role as a British officer fighting for his life

🎬 Why Dongji Island Matters

• Humanity Amid Horror: At its heart, Dongji Island is not just a war film—it’s a story of empathy in the face of terror, highlighting how ordinary people can display extraordinary courage.

• Historical Accuracy Meets Cinematic Thrill: With meticulous attention to period detail, the film blends high-stakes rescue sequences with emotional depth, making it both educational and deeply affecting.

• A Global Perspective: Rarely has a Chinese war film spotlighted the fate of British POWs—this film bridges nations and generations through shared sacrifice and heroism.

• Stunning Coastal Backdrop: Shot on location in Macau and the Zhoushan Islands, the film offers breathtaking visuals that contrast the natural beauty of the region with the horror of war.

📽️ What to Expect

• Nail-biting sequences of survival at sea

• Tense hide-and-seek scenes with Japanese forces

• A human drama about loyalty, courage, and loss

• Tribute to forgotten heroes of the Second World War

🗓️ Coming to Theaters August 8, 2025

Whether you're a fan of war dramas, historical films, or simply powerful stories about the quiet strength of ordinary people, Dongji Island is a must-watch. It reminds us that even during the darkest hours, the light of humanity can shine through — even from the most unexpected corners of the world.

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