Chinese Film ‘Dead to Rights’ Dominates Box Office Amid WWII Remembrance

A new Chinese film titled Dead to Rights has achieved remarkable success at the domestic box office, earning 1.5 billion yuan (US$208 million) since its premiere on July 25, 2023. The film’s release coincides with China’s campaign to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. According to the state broadcaster CCTV, the film has topped box office charts, reflecting its strong reception among viewers.

Set against the harrowing backdrop of the 1937 Nanjing Massacre, where tens of thousands of Chinese civilians were killed by invading Japanese forces, Dead to Rights tells the story of survivors seeking refuge in a photo studio. As they develop photographs for the occupying army, they uncover disturbing images of the atrocities and risk their lives to preserve this crucial evidence. The film has garnered a high rating of 9.7 on the Maoyan platform and 8.6 on Douban, a popular Chinese review site. One viewer remarked, “What moved me to tears were the before and after pictures shown during the closing scene,” while another described it as his “number one Chinese film of the year,” praising its ability to reflect larger historical events through personal stories.

Following its domestic release, Dead to Rights has also opened in Macau and will be released in Hong Kong later this month. The film is set to premiere in several international markets, including Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Malaysia, and Singapore, as reported by CGTN.

Upcoming Releases and Commemorative Events

Another wartime feature, titled 731, is scheduled to hit Chinese cinemas on September 18, 2023, coinciding with the 94th anniversary of Imperial Japan’s invasion of China. This film focuses on the inhumane medical experiments conducted by Japan’s Unit 731. Originally slated for release on July 31, the date was changed without explanation.

The success of Dead to Rights and the upcoming release of 731 are part of a broader initiative by the Chinese government to mark the end of World War II. In July, officials unveiled a permanent exhibition at the Museum of the War of Chinese People’s Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in Beijing. This extensive display covers 12,200 square meters and includes 1,525 photographs and 3,237 cultural relics.

In a press conference earlier this month, Liu Jianguo, deputy director of the National Radio and Television Administration, announced that a series of themed audio-visual works will be released across various platforms. He emphasized the importance of telling the story of the Chinese people’s resilience during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.

The main commemorative event is set for September 3, when China plans to hold a significant military parade in Tiananmen Square, Beijing. This parade will commemorate the end of World War II and is expected to showcase marching troops, armored vehicles, and aerial flypasts. According to state news agency Xinhua, the event will also highlight “new types of combat forces, including unmanned, intelligent equipment.” Invitations have been extended to foreign leaders and dignitaries, with the Kremlin confirming that Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend.

As the country reflects on its past, films like Dead to Rights play a crucial role in shaping public memory and understanding of historical events, reinforcing national identity and resilience in the face of adversity.