Chinese film ignites dialogue on wartime atrocities

Express Tribune

30-07-2025

The harrowing new Chinese film, Dead To Rights, about the Nanjing Massacre has stirred strong emotions across the country, sparking widespread reflection on a traumatic chapter in China's history, reported Xinhua.
As per Deadline, the historical drama is set around the events of the Nanjing Massacre in 1937, where a postman named A Chang pretends to be a photo developer in a photo studio, developing photos for the Japanese army. He takes in a group of Chinese soldiers and civilians, turning the studio into a temporary shelter.
In a desperate attempt to stay alive, they are forced to assist a Japanese military photographer in developing film — only to discover that the negatives contain damning evidence of atrocities committed by Japanese forces across the city. They secretly keep the negatives and risk their lives to deliver them to the outside world, in the hope that the truth would be revealed.
Directed by Shen Ao (No More Bets), the film will open theatrically in the US and Canada on August 15, ahead of a planned streaming rollout later this year.
Recognised for its emotional weight and stark portrayal of a national trauma, Dead To Rights has resonated deeply with audiences in China. The film's Douban rating, a key gauge of public sentiment, reached 8.6 out of 10.
A popular comment on Douban observed, "The simplicity and restraint of the storytelling make every scene piercingly poignant. The few images — such as the knife held to a baby, the rolling heads, the red river of blood — are more than enough to communicate the horror. The film doesn't sensationalise; it lets these chilling images speak for themselves."
'Lost in deep thought'
On ticketing platform Maoyan, one user shared a poignant reflection after taking two children to see the film: "At first, I was worried they'd be scared, but then I realised: if we can't face history, what will we do in the future? I want them to understand real history, which is harsher than what's depicted in the movie. Our land must never be surrendered!"
In another post, a Maoyan user recalled a tender moment after the screening, when a young girl asked her mother if there were any "post-credit scenes." The mother replied, "The true 'post-credit scene' is when we step out of the cinema."
"Indeed, the lively streets, the bustling crowd, the smell of food in the air — this is the true miracle," noted the comment.
This sentiment captures the essence of the film's call to cherish the peace and vitality of modern China, all made possible by the sacrifices of the past.
Renowned director Feng Xiaoning, speaking in a video circulated widely online, shared his reaction to the film. "When the film ended, the entire audience remained seated, unmoving, until the credits had fully rolled. Everyone was lost in deep thought," he said. "I believe every Chinese person, and everyone in the world with a conscience, will be shaken by this film."
By the end of Sunday, its third day of release, Dead To Rights had grossed over 400 million yuan ($56 million), with over 10 million admissions nationwide, according to data from Maoyan.
Largely driven by this film, China's daily box office on Sunday surpassed 300 million yuan, marking the first time in 154 days that the threshold had been crossed.
According to Maoyan's latest projection, Dead To Rights is expected to earn more than 3.2 billion yuan in total revenue, a substantial upward revision from earlier estimates.