'The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru' documentary screened at SIFF

The 26th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) opened as its first film, "The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru," was screened at Shanghai Film Art Center on Friday.

The film is about a World War II atrocity in which some 800 British prisoners of war (POWs) died at sea after a Japanese ship they were aboard was torpedoed by the U.S. Navy.

In October 1942, "Lisbon Maru," a cargo vessel requisitioned by the Japanese army to carry more than 1,800 British POWs from Hong Kong to Japan, was hit by the U.S. army off the Zhoushan Islands, China's Zhejiang Province. Over 300 POWs were rescued by local Chinese fishermen.

During the seven years of making this film, the production crew interviewed over 100 family members of those involved in the incident.

Fang Li, producer and director of this film, said that he aimed to display the impact of the war on the families of the POWs, the atrocities of the Japanese aggressors as well as the heroism and humanity of the Chinese fishermen.

"Let's all join hands to let the world know this part of history," Fang said after the screening when the production crew met the press.

Many filmmakers have gathered in Shanghai to participate in various activities of the film festival. This year, SIFF will screen 461 films from around the world, including the films selected for the Golden Goblet Awards. At its red carpet ceremony on Saturday, many well-known directors, actresses and actors attended the event.

Among thousands of films, 50 entries from 29 countries and regions have been selected for the five categories of the Golden Goblet Awards, with 38 world premieres, six international premieres and six Asian premieres. The increasing proportion of premieres shows the festival's rising influence and appeal in the international market.

The Belt and Road Film Week, themed "Path of Courage," also kicked off on Saturday, highlighting the internal power that drives people to grow. This section features events such as screenings, post-screening Q&As and other gatherings to facilitate film cooperation projects. Eighteen films are prepared for the audience during this section, showing varied ways of life and the landscapes and cultures of different countries. The eight finalists will compete for the Media Choice Awards for filmmakers and films and the Audience Choice Award.

This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France and the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism. Chinese film enthusiasts will also be able to watch screenings of 38 recent French films and more than 30 classic French films or films co-produced by France.

Nine forums and four film masterclasses during the film festival will provide insights into the film industry's future through in-depth dialogue and communication, discussing topics such as the relationship between film and city, new technologies in film-making, new methods of film distribution and opportunities for young filmmakers.

At the masterclasses, guests such as Vietnamese French director Tran Anh Hung, Myanmar-born director Midi Z, American film critic and theoretician Bill Nichols, and Japanese director Shunji Iwai will share their insights and reflections on film-making and their thoughts on the essence of cinematic artistry.