The summer film market in China is seeing mixed results, with “Dongji Rescue” earning 196 million yuan (US$27.3 million) in ticket sales in its first two days, according to the box office tracker Beacon. The film, released August 8, 2025, follows a little-known historical event from 1942, and features Zhu Yilong and Wu Lei in the leading roles.
Directed by Guan Hu and Fei Zhenxiang, “Dongji Rescue” depicts the bravery of Chinese fishermen who risked their lives to save over 384 British prisoners of war from the sinking Japanese cargo ship Lisbon Maru, which was under artillery fire. The film is based on a true story and aims to pay tribute to the fishermen’s heroism.
Wu Lei underwent a dramatic physical transformation for his role as a fisherman, becoming nearly unrecognizable according to reports. The 25-year-old actor reportedly stripped back “every polished layer” to portray a rugged fisherman involved in a tale of treasure diving and lurking submarines. Behind-the-scenes clips reveal Wu Lei shedding layers of clothing, expressing embarrassment at the minimal wardrobe, even as director Guan Hu urged him to “get used to it.”
To prepare for the film’s numerous underwater scenes, Wu Lei and Zhu Yilong, who play brothers, engaged in intensive diving training. They were tasked with performing professional-grade movements, including holding their breath for up to four minutes and thirty seconds and diving to depths of nine metres. The actors reportedly immersed themselves in understanding the lives and experiences of Chinese fishermen during that period.
The film has a budget of around 500 million yuan and features compelling visual effects, with the crew conducting extensive research to accurately portray the customs and traditions of Zhoushan, including fishing boat craftsmanship, fishermen’s songs, and local marine life. A documentary on the same historical event, “The Sink of the Lisbon Maru,” received wide acclaim last year.
While “Dongji Rescue” was anticipated to provide a boost to the summer film market following the success of “Dead To Rights,” which has grossed over 2.2 billion yuan, its initial box office performance has been somewhat lower than expected. China’s overall summer box office receipts have surpassed 8.5 billion yuan so far.
