Dongji Rescue is an upcoming Chinese war film that brings to light a remarkable but lesser-known story from World War II. Directed by Guan Hu and co-directed by Fei Zhenxiang, the movie is inspired by real events surrounding the 1942 sinking of the Lisbon Maru, a Japanese ship transporting British prisoners of war. After the ship went down, local Chinese fishermen from Dongji Island stepped in to save more than 300 British soldiers.
This large-scale production, with an estimated $80 million budget, combines underwater action, emotional storytelling, and historical authenticity. The film is scheduled to release in China on August 8, 2025, and will arrive in the US, UK, and other countries later that month. NetFilming takes a closer look at the filming locations and production process behind this historical epic.
Where Was Dongji Rescue Filmed?
The filmmakers went all out to make Dongji Rescue feel real, shooting in authentic locations and using cutting-edge technology. Here’s a breakdown of the key filming spots:
Dongji Island, Zhoushan Archipelago, Zhejiang, China
Dongji Island, which is part of the Zhoushan Archipelago in Zhejiang province, is where Dongji Rescue was filmed. This is the real place where the rescue happened in 1942, so it’s a great place to film. The crew built a full-scale replica of a fishing village from the 1940s on the island to show what life was like during World War II. The homes and docks were all accurate to the time. For important scenes, they also built a huge model of the Lisbon Maru ship. The island’s rocky coastline and open ocean made for a dramatic setting, and local residents helped with the production.
Filming on Dongji Island wasn’t just about how it looked; it made it more real. The film has a strong sense of place because it is based on real events. The island’s natural beauty, from crashing waves to rocky shores, is shown in many scenes, putting viewers in the fishermen’s world.
Trivia: Dongji Island isn’t a place where films are often made, but the Zhoushan Archipelago has been in other Chinese projects, such as the 2018 drama The Island, which is a comedy about survivors stuck on a deserted island. Its clean beaches and fishing culture make it a one-of-a-kind place to tell stories.
Underwater Filming in Specialized Tanks
More than 40% of Dongji Rescue happens underwater, where you can see the chaotic sinking of the Lisbon Maru and the brave fishermen who saved people. IMAX cameras and advanced robotics were used to film these scenes. Actors had to train to hold their breath for long periods of time to get the intense parts right. Some underwater shots were taken near the coast of Dongji Island, but most were filmed in big water tanks that were built just for the movie. The crew could safely set up complicated scenes in these controlled settings while still making them look real.
The underwater scenes are the best part because they mix high-tech visuals with real emotion. The filmmakers’ commitment to authenticity makes these moments both thrilling and heartfelt.
Trivia: Big-budget Chinese films often film in water tanks. For instance, Stephen Chow’s The Mermaid (2016) used similar setups in Beijing studios to make its underwater fantasy world, showing that China is very good at filming underwater scenes.
Studio Sets for Special Effects
The production team used controlled studio settings, probably in Zhejiang or nearby provinces, to make the sinking of the Lisbon Maru seem real. They used green screen stages and water tanks to make dangerous scenes, like when the ship broke apart under enemy fire. These setups made sure the actors were safe while also giving the audience amazing visuals. Dongji Rescue is a technical marvel, with practical sets and digital effects that rival those in Hollywood epics like Dunkirk.
Trivia: Zhejiang’s studios, especially in Hangzhou, are where a lot of Chinese blockbusters are made. Movies like Wolf Warrior II (2017) used the area’s facilities for action-packed scenes, making Zhejiang a top place for big-budget films.
Dongji Rescue Behind the Scenes
The creative team spent six years getting ready to bring this little-known part of World War II history to life. They travelled to the real Dongji Islands, lived with local families, and listened to stories that had been passed down through the generations. The village buildings and costume fabrics in the 1940s setting were all made and found with accuracy in mind.
Director Guan Hu explained the motivation: “These men weren’t soldiers or heroes in the traditional sense,” he said. “They were farmers and fishermen who did what was right, even when it cost them everything. We wanted to make a film that felt as honest as their courage.”
Co-director Fei Zhenxiang added, “We didn’t just want to film a story. We wanted to live it, to feel the weight of those waves, the sting of the wind, so we could capture it honestly.”
The production faced intense physical challenges. The crew built full‑scale replicas of a Japanese cargo ship and wartime fishing village on rugged, roadless terrain. Cast and crew endured extreme conditions—temperatures over 50°C (122°F), heavy rain, and multiple typhoons—while hauling materials by hand up rocky slopes to create realistic period sets.
Underwater filming made up roughly 40% of the movie. Actors performed emotionally complex scenes submerged in custom-built water tanks, with long breath-holds and realistic physical strain.
Zhu Yilong shared, “The saltwater stung like blades, and sand got in my eyes, but I had to keep them open—my character was searching for survivors, and fear had to show on my face.”
Wu Lei spoke about the pressure of breath training: “Before each take, adjusting my uniform and clearing bubbles from my face ate up a minute of air. By the time we rolled, my chest felt ready to burst, but that panic? It’s exactly what the character would feel.” Ni Ni performed her scenes without wire support, battling real waves to capture urgency and realism.
Producer Liang Jing and the screenwriting team spent years reviewing archives, consulting descendants of the fishermen, and contacting families of the rescued POWs. Their collective goal was clear: to tell a story based fully on researched history and emotional honesty.
Dongji Rescue 2025 Movie Official Trailer
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