Watch This | HK premiere of Dead to Rights draws emotional reactions: Japan must acknowledge its past

In commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance, the mainland film Dead to Rights has sparked a viewing craze, topping the summer box office with a revenue of RMB 2.748 billion. The film is based on real footage of Japanese war crimes during the Nanjing Massacre, telling the story of a group of Nanjing citizens who seek refuge in the auspicious photo studio. To survive, they are forced to assist a Japanese photographer in developing film, only to inadvertently print photos that prove the atrocities committed by the Japanese army, leading them to resolve to spread these images.

Dead to Rights premiered today (Aug. 28) in Hong Kong, with an official release scheduled for September 4. As of noon today, most screenings in Hong Kong showed limited availability, with some even sold out. Many viewers left the theater with red eyes, visibly emotional and struggling to regain their composure.

Local resident Mrs. Au purchased over twenty tickets to invite classmates and friends to watch the film. She expressed her excitement, saying, "Japan must admit its mistakes. This film is very well made, and such stories deserve to be seen by more people."

Mrs. Ren Yan-hua, a classmate of Mrs. Au, was born in December 1944, nearly the same year as the victory in the War of Resistance. Having experienced the turmoil of war, she was deeply shocked by the film and emphasized the need to teach future generations to remember history and be proud Chinese citizens.

Another viewer, Mrs. Leung, became emotional during the interview, revealing that she was the first person to purchase a ticket for the premiere. Several scenes in the film deeply affected her. She particularly mentioned the words at the end of the film: "Remember history, strive for self-improvement," believing they carry profound meaning and hoping that this history will be understood and remembered by more people.

(Reporter: Marvin Lau; Video: Jack Wang; English Editor: Kiki)

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