On October 19th, a seminar titled “Development of Domestic Documentary Film Creation and a Viewing of ‘The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru'” was held in Beijing, organized by the China Film Association and the China Film Producers Association.
At the seminar, representatives from the documentary film community, including directors Fang Li, Han Mei, Song Kunru, Fan Lixin, Kong Weina, and Ulan Tūya, joined experts like Yin Hong, Chen Zhen, and Ding Yapin to discuss recent significant works in Chinese documentary cinema, such as “The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru.” They summarized the experiences and trends in the development of documentary filmmaking in China in recent years and engaged in in-depth discussions about the current state of domestic documentaries, the creation of “non-fiction narrative films,” cross-cultural dissemination, and international promotion.
Since its release, “The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru” has garnered considerable attention, receiving both critical acclaim and impressive box office results. Fang Li, the film’s director and producer, who has conducted nearly one hundred promotional events and met with thousands of viewers, expressed that the emotional connections he forged with the audience have fueled his motivation to create this film. He emphasized that the initial screenings faced tough challenges, but thanks to the spontaneous support from friends, they now have “more allies” to help share this Chinese story that was submerged for 82 years.
Jiao Hongfen, President of the China Film Producers Association, stated that in recent years, documentaries have gained popularity with audiences due to their irreplaceable authenticity. The success of “The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru” has instilled hope and confidence that documentary films can attract viewers to cinemas.
Han Mei, Deputy Chairwoman of the Sichuan Provincial Federation of Literary and Art Circles and Chairman of the Emei Film Group, described “The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru” as the most moving and pride-inducing work of her career in the film industry. She believes the film achieves a viewing experience that is “more real than narrative films and more dramatic than documentaries” through its plot revelations, the intertwining of fates based on truth, and emotional expression in objective recordings.
Zhou Youqiang, Director of the Theoretical Research Office of the Chinese Literary Federation, noted that the film’s powerful imagery, sincere emotions from its creative team, and the genuine support it received were the core reasons for its success, encapsulated in the theme of “truth.”
Ming Zhenjiang, a consultant for the China Film Association and honorary chairman of the China Film Producers Association, highlighted the film’s themes of “calling for peace, opposing war, cherishing life, and shared destinies,” integrating traditional documentary understanding with artistic documentary techniques, achieving a creative transformation in documentary film making.
Song Zhiqin, Executive Deputy Director of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles Film Art Center, emphasized the necessity of a serious and meticulous approach in documentary filmmaking. He praised “The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru” for its multi-faceted narrative, emotional depth, and innovative artistic expression, which effectively conveyed shared human values with a deeply impactful result.
Ding Yapin, President of the China Higher Education Film and Television Society, commented on the specific role and mission of documentary filmmaking in shaping and communicating the contemporary context. He viewed “The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru” as a historical investigation through non-fiction imagery, highlighting the reflective value regarding the logic and brutality of human conflict.
In the opinion of Yao Yonghui, Chairman of the Central News Documentary Film Studio and head of the Documentary Film Working Committee of the China Film Association, the film offers a unique perspective and emotional depth via a first-person viewpoint, uncovering a lesser-known chapter of history. He remarked on its success in attracting audiences, indicating a new direction for the distribution of documentaries by generating market momentum through positive word-of-mouth.
Not only has “The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru” achieved success in China, but it has also premiered in various cities in the UK, with nearly 400 descendants of British POWs attending, thus capturing the attention of international media and audiences.
Yin Hong, Vice President of the China Film Association and a professor at Tsinghua University, described documentary films as a national album, a beam of light illuminating historical recollection. He underscored how the film resurrects the history of over 80 years ago from beneath the sea, fostering a renewed understanding of humanity and life. He remarked on the film’s diverse perspectives that objectively restored history and human connections, conveying significant values. Additionally, he pointed out the importance of creating a platform for nurturing documentary enthusiasts and acknowledged that the emergence of “The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru” has provided an opportunity to cultivate greater interest in documentaries among audiences.
