In 1973, Tom Jones was set to thrill Hong Kong – then he showed up late
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South China Morning Post
6 days ago
- South China Morning Post
For Hong Kong, war films may be more effective as patriotic education
Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@ or filling in this Google form . Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification Advertisement Dead to Rights is no doubt one of the most engrossing films of the year, touching the heart of every Chinese cinema-goer who has caught it. The movie, set against the backdrop of the Nanking massacre, is being released across the globe to bring to the international community the painful story of Chinese resistance to Japanese aggression. There is another film, with a lower profile, that also deserves our attention: the plot of Dongji Rescue unfolds as the Japanese army furtively ships British prisoners of war to Japan, in violation of the Geneva Convention. These POWs were captured in Hong Kong when the Japanese invaded the city. After the ship is torpedoed, the POWs attempt to escape but are fired at by the Japanese army. Enter Chinese fishermen from Dongji, part of the Zhoushan archipelago of Zhejiang province, who display tremendous courage in saving the lives of the British captives. The film is based on a nugget of history that I believe is known to very few people in Hong Kong. Besides the Nanking massacre, the other brutalities that occurred across China during the Japanese invasion should also be told in movies to raise awareness. These films have already got me interested in finding out more about what the Japanese did to the Chinese during that dark period in history. Advertisement Textbooks and other settings of formal education, while important in passing on anguished memories to younger generations, are a less immersive and sensory medium than cinema.
South China Morning Post
03-08-2025
- South China Morning Post
Nanking massacre film speaks to the resilience of ordinary Chinese
Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@ or filling in this Google form . Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification A new Chinese film recounting the Nanking massacre has prompted a national reckoning with history. In its first week in release, Dead to Rights grossed 814 million yuan (US$113 million) and achieved an impressive score of 8.6 out of 10 on Douban, a prominent review platform. This signifies more than box office success. It is a sign of collective engagement with historical memory. Drawing from documented atrocities, the film presents an opportunity for audiences to confront this chapter of World War II. On social media, many have said that although the movie is difficult to watch, it is a must-see. The imagery is haunting – a blood-red river, a blade hovering over an infant. Silence envelopes cinemas across the nation, filling viewers with sorrow and determination: we must remember to guard against any recurrence. For me, the film has deep personal resonance. In my family's ancestral burial ground, deep in the Taihang Mountains in northern China, there stands an empty tomb dedicated to my grandfather's uncle, who was brutally killed during the war of resistance against Japanese aggression, with no remains left. I could only learn through my elders' sighs and laments that he was a man of elegance and the pride of the family.
South China Morning Post
30-07-2025
- South China Morning Post
ONE Championship signs up world's top women's jiu-jitsu prospect
Helena Crevar's meteoric rise in Brazilian jiu-jitsu has already made her a stand-out name – now, the teenage sensation is set to bring her talents to the global stage with ONE Championship. Advertisement The 18-year-old Las Vegas native has officially signed with ONE and is an exciting addition to the submission grappling roster. But what makes her arrival even more significant is the nature of her deal: a rare non-exclusive contract that allows her to continue competing in other events around the world. 'It's really important that athletes get to compete wherever possible,' Crevar told the Post. 'It helps both the athletes and the promotions to be more open, have more options, and get the most experience.' Crevar is widely viewed as one of the top prospects in the sport. She became the youngest ever podium placer at the ADCC World Championships in 2024, claiming silver at just 17 years old. That same year, she also captured the Polaris 70-kilogram title and continued collecting IBJJF World and Pan-American titles across multiple belt levels. A product of the famed New Wave Jiu-Jitsu team under legendary coach John Danaher, Crevar moved to Austin, Texas, at the age of 15 to train full time. She was promoted to black belt in June 2025, marking 10 years since she first stepped onto the mats. 'To be John Danaher's first female black belt is a huge honour,' she said. 'He's incredibly smart; he knows the answer to any position or scenario. I've never trained under anyone like him.'
