China’s war drama Dongji Rescue tells the remarkable true story of Chinese fishermen who risk their lives to save British prisoners of war. The events unfold during World War II. The film stars Zhu Yilong, Wu Lei, and Ni Ni. It entertains, yet it also honors acts of bravery that history often overlooks. Most importantly, the central theme, salvaging a veiled history, drives both the message and the emotional power.
In the story, fishermen from Dongji Island unexpectedly find British soldiers stranded at sea after the sinking of the cargo ship Lisbon Maru. As a result, they choose to help despite enormous personal danger. For lead actor Zhu Yilong, playing “A Bi” meant not only learning his physical mannerisms but also understanding his fierce and unyielding spirit. Moreover, Zhu trained through intense free-diving sessions and visited the island daily. Consequently, these efforts helped him connect deeply with the weight of the story and the importance of salvaging a veiled history.
Zhu explains that two main reasons drew him to the project. First, he wanted to join an industrial-scale production with strong technical craftsmanship. Furthermore, he felt moved by the historical importance of salvaging a veiled history. Therefore, this connection to the past inspired him to honor the resilience of ordinary Chinese people. They consistently rose to extraordinary challenges and showed great self-reliance.
During filming, Zhu worked closely with the directors to keep “A Bi” both authentic and relatable. Additionally, he embraced the character’s flaws while highlighting his primal courage. When standing on the island where the events took place, he felt a deep sense of duty. As a result, he wanted audiences to feel the humanity and moral strength that guided these fishermen, reinforcing the film’s mission of salvaging a veiled history.
Dongji Rescue will premiere in several countries. Consequently, Zhu hopes it connects with global viewers. He believes salvaging a veiled history speaks to people of all cultures. In moments of danger, the fishermen followed a deep moral code. They chose to help those in need regardless of the risk. Moreover, Zhu believes this shared humanity crosses all borders and amplifies the meaning behind salvaging a veiled history.
Zhu also reflected on the film’s role in Chinese cinema. In his view, it proves the industry’s diversity. It combines large-scale production quality with meaningful storytelling. Therefore, he hopes the world will see how far China’s film industry has progressed in both skill and creativity, as well as in preserving historical truth through salvaging a veiled history.
Looking back, Zhu values every stage of his career. Even the quiet years shaped his craft. In fact, those experiences prepared him for roles like “A Bi.” Today, he approaches each role with complete dedication and sees every film as a chance to grow.
Ultimately, Dongji Rescue offers far more than entertainment. It preserves memory, honors sacrifice and showcases the strength of Chinese filmmaking. Above all, salvaging a veiled history remains its most powerful legacy.
