At a recent storytelling event in Hangzhou, director and producer Fang Li shared his motivation for creating the documentary *The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru*, stating, “I fear that this part of history and the people involved will be forgotten.” His intention is to document this everlasting bond through the medium of film.
In October 1942, the Japanese military commandeered the Lisbon Maru to transport British prisoners of war. While passing through the Zhoushan waters, the ship was struck by American forces, resulting in the tragic loss of 843 prisoners. However, thanks to the courageous efforts of local fishermen, 384 prisoners were rescued.
The documentary recounts this heroic rescue story. Fang first heard about the Lisbon Maru incident in 2014. “As someone who loves history and photography, I had never encountered the story of the Lisbon Maru before. This truly highlights how obscure this history is,” he remarked, expressing his deep curiosity about the ship and the ordeal faced by the over 800 prisoners who perished.
To better understand this historical event, Fang made multiple trips to Dongji Island, where he engaged with the rescuing fishermen and their descendants. “I was profoundly moved by their stories, and on several occasions, I found myself in tears,” he said.
Driven by his emotional connection to the stories he uncovered, Fang decided to create the documentary. Starting in 2016, he and his team traveled to the UK to interview the descendants of those who experienced the tragedy, aiming to reconstruct the lost history. Unanticipatedly, this endeavor stretched over eight years.
What draws Fang to documentary filmmaking? “The beauty of documentary lies in its unpredictability and the infinite possibilities that lie ahead,” he explained during the interview. He described how documentaries lack a fixed script and instead rely on instinct and desire to capture genuine moments. “When you take up your camera on a spontaneous journey, you might have a general direction, much like a road trip, but you have no idea what you’ll encounter along the way.”
On September 6, *The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru* premiered, with Fang taking on the role of a guide in the first half of the film. He invites viewers to step into history and traverse time and space. Although traditional documentaries don’t require directors to be on screen, Fang felt it essential to share his perspective through his lens and narration, hoping to evoke the same shock and emotion he experienced.
“I struggled for a long time about whether to appear in front of the camera,” he admitted. “By nature, I’m not one to seek the spotlight. But given that this film is about emotions and the quest for connection, I realized I represent not just myself but everyone in the audience.”
Recently, *The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru* was officially selected to represent mainland China for the Best International Feature Film category at the 97th Academy Awards. Fang acknowledged that achieving this nomination amidst stiff competition from films around the world is itself a remarkable honor.
With the rapid rise of the short video era, Fang has advice for young filmmakers and screenwriters: don’t be intimidated by this trend. “Film outlasts us, so it has to resonate with people,” he said, emphasizing the dual nature of cinema as both entertainment and cultural artistry. He believes filmmakers should clarify their direction—whether to chase short-term profits or to create lasting cultural values.
“I choose to make enduring works that touch hearts and provoke thought,” Fang explained. He noted that such impactful films often don’t originate from meticulous calculations. “If we, during the writing phase, aren’t moved by the story ourselves, how can we expect the audience to feel anything?”
Based on this philosophy, Fang encourages young filmmakers to think long-term. “Life is too short; we shouldn’t live merely for daily needs or financial gain. We should pursue more meaningful endeavors, like creating a film that will stand the test of time. Such works become not just our epitaphs but a testament to our eternal existence.”
