Li Si Ben wan chen mo

A film about a dreadful incident few would have known anything about before this movie. The Lisbon Maru was a cargo ship being used to transport British prisoners of war from Hong Kong to Japan. The ship was torpedoed off China, rather than evacuating the prisoners the Japanese tried to trap them in the holds so they would all die. Eventually there was a break out, Chinese fishing boats went to offer assistance at which point the Japanese stopped trying to kill the prisoners. Thanks to the efforts of the prisoners to escape and the Chinese foshermen to rescue them over 300 survived, with 800 dying.

Fang Li found the wreck and tracked down families of the survivors, the submarine crew and the captain of the ship, as well as two actual British survivors. At the end the families were taken to the wreck for a remembrance ceremony where they met one of the fishermen who took part in the rescue. The film allows the families and survivors to tell their own stories, Fang Li lets them talk and captures it for the historical record.

Extremely powerful and moving, it's a very human story about the inhumanity of war and the trauma suffered by so many long after the war had ended. Fang Li approaches it as a human tragedy, and is very sensitive to all those he interviewed.

One of the finest feature length documentaries I have seen, one which deserves to be seen globally. My only feeling of regret about it is, speaking as a British person I can't help feeling disappointed that it took a Chinese film maker to let families and survivors from Britain tell their story and raise awareness of this terrible tragedy in Britain. He should have received an Oscar for this wonderful film. Superb in every way.

"The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru" is, without a doubt, one of the most extraordinary films of the past five years, not just in the realm of documentaries, but in global cinema as a whole. This film is a testament to the power of storytelling, historical excavation, and the resilience of the human spirit. The director, Fang Li, has achieved something truly remarkable: he discovered the wreck of the Lisbon Maru, a Japanese transport ship sunk during World War II, and in doing so, unearthed a forgotten chapter of history that even survivors struggled to make others believe.

The film meticulously pieces together the full story through interviews with survivors, historians, and local witnesses. It's a haunting reminder of how war renders everyone-British, Japanese, American, or Chinese-small and vulnerable in its shadow. The narrative is so compelling and authentic that it surpasses even the dramatic tension of films like *Dunkirk*. Fang Li's approach is not just about recounting events; it's about honoring the humanity behind the tragedy.

What struck me most was the story of "Bill No. 1," a survivor who clung to the hope of living despite the dire circumstances. His determination to survive, even when all seemed lost, is a powerful metaphor for the film's central message: optimism is the only way to confront tragedy. The film doesn't shy away from the horrors of war, but it also doesn't let us forget the importance of remembering. As the film poignantly reminds us, tragedy isn't something to be ignored or forgotten; it's something we must face head-on to ensure peace.

"The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru" is a cinematic triumph, a call for global peace, and a reminder that even in the darkest times, hope and humanity can prevail. A must-watch for anyone who believes in the power of history and storytelling.

This is very moving and brilliant documentary making. What makes me even more emotional is the sacrifice these men made to defend Great Britain and what has happened to our country since then. It's a travesty and those poor men must be horrified what has become of the country they fought for so bravely.

Thanks to the director to tell us this history, history cannot be forgotten.

The POWs were all so young, i cannot hold my tears when i was watching the documentary. I cannot imagine how desperate they were and words cannot express the feelings.

Actually anybody knows history understands it's a quite complicated history for Chinese people. That's why the kindness and selflessness of the fishermen in Dongji island China are so moving and inspiring. They could've been killed by Japanese soldiers but still they did everything they could to help the English POWs. Humanity is the only treasure in war.

Hope there's no war in the world and the way from home is not long anymore.

After watching the movie, I got to know the behind the scenes and briefly talked about the production of "The Sinking of Lisbon Maru" or "Li Si Ben wan chen mo".

Recommendation: Fang Li's crazy allin shows us the truth of history, tragic epics, glorious human nature, and shameless Japan. With his determination to sacrifice everything and sell iron, would he be afraid of production challenges? He is only afraid that he will have too much on him when he leaves this world. For example, he once said, 'When I leave this world, I will definitely be penniless.'. I throw any personal property into the movie because it can stay and be left for others. The sinking of Lisbon Maru left us with too much. For example, using visual reports to re-examine the brutality of war. It's like the heaviness and emotions when the veil of history is lifted.

Watching tips: The tenacious will to survive of prisoners of war, the spirit of solidarity in supporting each other, the deep longing and unremitting search for their deceased loved ones by their descendants, and the noble humanitarian spirit of Chinese fishermen who disregard their own safety, made me cry like a doggy. There is a saying that goes: "Documentaries always creatively reside in an unknown place, intertwined with other things, but from there, they are actually very suitable for observing the various contradictions of our time." Lisbon Maru is experiencing all of this. Some people want to forget as if nothing happened, while others risk their lives to expose, leave traces, and archive.