Nanjing Massacre film “Dead To Rights” touches audience with civilian epic

“Dead To Rights”, a film on the Nanjing Massacre, has taken China’s summer box office by storm with its intricate plots and captivating theme, as well as the emphasis on the epic stories of civilians that resonate deeply with audience.

The film’s box office had surpassed 2.19 billion yuan (about 305 million U.S. dollars) as of 19:00 on Sunday since its premiere on July 25.

The film centers on a group of Chinese civilians who take refuge in a photography studio during the Japanese aggressors’ brutal occupation of Nanjing in 1937.

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, hoping that the truth would be revealed. 

“The perspective of civilians and their epic stories — these were our approach during the creation process. We want to tell the stories of ordinary people, those often overlooked. By immersing ourselves in their experiences and emotions, we hope to help the audience connect history with their own personal feelings,” said Zhang Ke, screenwriter of the film.

“It was very touching, and I couldn’t stop crying as the story unfolded,” said a viewer. 

Zhang also shared his aspiration to use the small “photography studio” to capture the epic times, seeking to create a deeper emotional bond with the audience. 

“When we walk out of the cinema, and are away from the film, we would suddenly become strongly aware of the peace and beautiful land we have, and would appreciate our peaceful and tranquil life (even more),” said the screenwriter.