Film recounts tragic story of 'love, loss and sacrifice'

Beneath the waters of the East China Sea lies a silent witness to a forgotten tragedy — the wreck of the Lisbon Maru. Directed by Fang Li, a geophysical exploration expert turned filmmaker, the film recounts the tragedy and heroism surrounding one of World War II's most overlooked events. It was as if history had erased these lives," Fang told China Daily during a recent special screening of The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles. Fang's documentary builds on the work of British historian Tony Banham, who in 2006 published The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru: Britain's Forgotten Wartime Tragedy after interviewing survivors and unearthing critical documents. "To see those incredible Chinese fishermen risk their lives for these British soldiers is remarkable," Nemeth told China Daily.