
2nd LD-Writethru-China Focus: Film on Nanjing Massacre ignites strong emotions across China
"Dead To Rights" centers on a group of Chinese civilians who take refuge in a photography studio during the Japanese aggressors' brutal occupation of Nanjing.
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, in the hope that the truth would be revealed.
Recognized for its emotional weight and stark portrayal of a national trauma, "Dead To Rights" has resonated deeply with audiences. The film's Douban rating, a key gauge of public sentiment, reached 8.6 out of 10.
A popular comment on Douban observed, "The simplicity and restraint of the storytelling make every scene piercingly poignant. The few images -- such as the knife held to a baby, the rolling heads, the red river of blood -- are more than enough to communicate the horror. The film doesn't sensationalize; it lets these chilling images speak for themselves."
On ticketing platform Maoyan, one user shared a poignant reflection after taking two children to see the film: "At first, I was worried they'd be scared, but then I realized: if we can't face history, what will we do in the future? I want them to understand real history, which is harsher than what's depicted in the movie. Our land must never be surrendered!"
In another post, a Maoyan user recalled a tender moment after the screening, when a young girl asked her mother if there were any "post-credit scenes." The mother replied, "The true 'post-credit scene' is when we step out of the cinema." "Indeed, the lively streets, the bustling crowd, the smell of food in the air -- this is the true miracle," noted the comment. This sentiment captures the essence of the film's call to cherish the peace and vitality of modern China, all made possible by the sacrifices of the past.
Renowned director Feng Xiaoning, speaking in a video circulated widely online, shared his reaction to the film. "When the film ended, the entire audience remained seated, unmoving, until the credits had fully rolled. Everyone was lost in deep thought," he said. "I believe every Chinese person, and everyone in the world with a conscience, will be shaken by this film."
By the end of Sunday, its third day of release, "Dead To Rights" had grossed over 400 million yuan (56 million U.S. dollars), with over 10 million admissions nationwide, according to data from Maoyan.
Largely driven by this film, China's daily box office on Sunday surpassed 300 million yuan, marking the first time in 154 days that the threshold had been crossed.
According to Maoyan's latest projection, "Dead To Rights" is expected to earn more than 3.2 billion yuan in total revenue, a substantial upward revision from earlier estimates.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Chinese fine brushwork painting exhibition opens in Bahrain
MANAMA, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese fine brushwork painting exhibition opened on Sunday at the Bahrain Art Centre in Manama, Bahrain, showcasing nearly 50 flower-and-bird artworks by Chinese artist Su Xiaofeng. Organized by the Chinese Embassy in Bahrain, the exhibition runs through Aug. 17 and is open to the public free of charge. Alongside the paintings, visitors can also explore an experience exhibition on China Oud -- a traditional aromatic resin used in incense and perfumery. At the opening ceremony, Su Xiaofeng expressed his hope that the exhibition would deepen understanding and friendship between the peoples of China, Bahrain, and other nations through the shared language of culture and art. Chinese Ambassador to Bahrain Ni Ruchi said the debut of Chinese fine brushwork opens a window for the Bahraini public to know about traditional Chinese art. Bahrain's Minister of Tourism, Fatima Al Sairafi, who attended the opening and toured the exhibition, described the event as "a very special occasion to celebrate the art of our two nations." She expressed hope that this event would serve as an opportunity to further promote cultural and tourism exchanges between Bahrain and China, and enhance the friendship between the two peoples.


The Sun
8 hours ago
- The Sun
Jackson Wang to bring magic to Malaysia
JACKSON Wang will be performing in Kuala Lumpur on October 25 as part of his newly announced Magicman 2 World Tour 2025-2026 - his second solo headlining tour. Wang will kick off his tour in Bangkok and make appearances in cities across region, including Macau, Jakarta, Manila and Tokyo. The announcement follows the release of Jackson's latest album, Magicman 2, which made a historic debut at #13 on the Billboard 200 — the highest-charting debut by a Chinese artiste in the chart's history. Released globally on July 18, the album cements Jackson as the first Chinese artiste to chart two consecutive albums in the Billboard 200 Top 15, following the success of his 2022 album Magicman (#15). Told in four chapters, Magicman 2 explores themes of chaos, illusion, self-reflection and healing — tracing Jackson's inner journey with raw honesty and cinematic vision. Wang explained: 'Magicman 2 — like I have said many times — is not just a concept. It is not based on an idea or inspiration. It is 100% real. It is my story. A reflection of how I see society, humanity and reality. How I felt, how I faced my darkest days... and how I made it out. 'It is about acceptance. About choosing to keep going and evolving into a more grounded, more honest, more mature version of myself. I felt the need to share this with you — because I believe we all have a 'Magicman' inside of us. That hidden side we do not fully understand, but cannot stop thinking about. The part of us we fear... but also want to face. 'On the Magicman 2 World Tour, this is not just a concert. This is an experience. I want to bring you into my world. Right into the heart of the story — no filters, no masks. Like a movie playing out in front of your eyes. We dive in together. This is Magicman 2. Welcome to the journey.' Jackson's 2023 Magicman World Tour sold out across the globe and his performance at the 2023 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival made history as the first-ever Chinese solo artiste to perform at the festival three times, with his set trending #1 worldwide on X. Across social media platforms, Jackson boasts over 100 million followers, making him the most-followed artiste in China on Instagram. In addition to his success as a solo artiste, Jackson was recently named creative director for Nike and Jordan. He also serves as a global ambassador for Louis Vuitton, Cartier and Hennessy.


The Sun
14 hours ago
- The Sun
Malaysian chefs abroad promote national cuisine with pride
KUALA LUMPUR: Renowned Malaysian chefs Norman Musa and Jasmine Kho, despite living abroad for years, remain steadfast ambassadors of their homeland through culinary excellence. Their efforts highlight Malaysia's diverse food culture while strengthening national pride overseas. Norman Musa, an award-winning chef from Penang, has spent decades promoting Malaysian cuisine in the UK and Europe. Through cooking classes, pop-up events, and cookbooks, he introduces traditional flavours to international audiences. 'Food connects people beyond borders,' Norman said. 'Sharing Malaysian dishes allows me to engage with diverse communities, reinforcing how fortunate I am to represent a nation rich in culture.' Recently, he completed a six-week chef residency at London's The King & Co, receiving overwhelming responses. His Dutch-language cookbook further expanded his reach in the Netherlands. Appointed Kuala Lumpur Food Ambassador in 2015, Norman continues organising culinary tours, including an upcoming 2026 Malaysia trip. 'I'll always be Malaysia's flag-bearer,' he affirmed. Meanwhile, Jasmine Kho, founder of Beijing's Laksa Queen, dedicates herself to preserving Sarawak Laksa's heritage. Her restaurant's kopitiam-themed décor and family-inspired mural reflect deep cultural roots. 'Laksa embodies harmony—36 spices from ancient trade routes united in one bowl,' Kho explained. 'It symbolises cross-cultural peace, much like Malaysia's diversity.' Despite initial challenges educating Chinese diners, her decade-long perseverance built a loyal following. Social media storytelling further bridges cultural gaps. As National Month unfolds, both chefs express unwavering patriotism. Norman recalls his mother's advice: 'Never forget your roots.' Kho adds, 'Living abroad only deepens my Malaysian pride.' – Bernama