Screening Programme "Cine Memories of the War of Resistance"

Unless otherwise stated, all special programmes are conducted in Cantonese and are free of charge. The Museum makes no representations on the content of the programmes. For special arrangements under inclement weather conditions, please click here for details. Programmes are subject to change and cancellation without prior notice. For enquiries, please call 2180 8260.

To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression as well as the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, the Hong Kong Film Archive, the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence, Hong Kong Museum of History, and Hong Kong Heritage Museum jointly present the thematic screening programme "Cine Memories of the War of Resistance". Six selected films, spanning from 1941 to 2024, will be screened in 16 free sessions. Selected films include Roar of the People (1941), one of the Archive’s ‘100 Must-see Hong Kong Movies’; Ten Thousand Li Ahead (1941), directed by Cai Chusheng, a founding member of the National Salvation Association of Shanghai Cinema; Camel Caravan (2012), winner of the Best TV Film award at the 19th Beijing College Student Film Festival; The Grass in Wind (2015), which portrays wartime love stories set in Chongqing; Life Goes On (2024), a documentary highlighting the resilience of university students in southern China amid adversity; and the documentary The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru (2024), which delves into real historical events during the Second World War.

Programme details : https://www.filmarchive.gov.hk/en/web/hkfa/2025/war-resistance/pe-event-2025-war-resistance.html
Partner organisation : Southern Film Culture Foundation

This screening programme is also one of the activities in the Chinese Culture Promotion Series. The LCSD has all along promoted Chinese history and culture through organising an array of programmes and activities to enable the public learn more about broad and profound Chinese culture. For more information, please visit http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/ccpo/index.html.

Life Goes On (2024) Film Screening and Post-screening Talk

Dirs: Xiao Mei, Dong Li
Scrs: Wang Yin, Fion
Prod Co: Guangzhou Star Auro Cultural Communication 
Genre: Documentary
2024 | Colour | Putonghua | Simplified Chi & Eng Subtitles | 86 min

During the War of Resistance, a group of teachers and students from various colleges in South China send disassembled books and astronomical instruments to Northern Guangdong, to prevent the precious cultural resources from falling into enemy hands. Despite living in poverty, they build a crude temporary campus and continue to operate with meagre resources. To allow them to complete their studies, resources are shared across students from different schools. Through photographs, texts, drawings, interviews, and story re-enactments, Live Goes On presents a comprehensive overview of the migration of education in South China during the war, as well as a glimpse of the modern connection and influence of education in Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.

The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru (2024) Film Screening and Post-screening Talk

Dir: Fang Li
Prod Cos: Zhejiang Laurel Films, Emei Film Group, Shanghai PMF Pictures
Cast: Fang Li, Tony Banham, Lin Agen, Dennis Morley, William Beningfield
Genre: Documentary
2024 | Colour | Putonghua | Chi & Eng Subtitles | 122 min

In 2014, Chinese geophysicist and filmmaker Fang Li overheard a story about the rescue of a group of foreign prisoners of war by fishermen from Dongji Island during the Japanese Occupation. Utilising modern technology, Fang searched for and found the shipwreck of the Lisbon Maru in the surrounding waters, and travelled around the globe to piece together the untold story of its sinking…

In 1942, 1,816 British soldiers captured in Hong Kong were forced by the Japanese army onto the converted cargo ship Lisbon Maru, to be transported to Japan for hard labour. The prisoners are crammed into the narrow cargo hold with insufficient food and dismal living conditions. A few days later, the Lisbon Maru is mistaken for a Japanese army supply ship and attacked by the US forces in waters to the east of the Zhoushan Islands, setting off a chain of inhumane events…

Camel Caravan (2012) Film Screening

Dir: Gao Feng
Scrs: Gao Feng, Chen Rui
Prod Co: China Movie Channel
Cast: Liu Xiaoning, Chen Xuzhu, Zhang Yulong, An Qihu
2012 | Colour | Putonghua | Simplified Chinese Subtitles | 89min

Armed escorts, often portrayed as capable and selfless protectors in wuxia novels, take centre stage in Camel Caravan. This mysterious group travels the ancient camel trails of China’s Western Regions, known for their marksmanship from camelback rather than swordsmanship. When war spreads to Shaanxi province during the Japanese invasion, the caravan led by Master Ge (Liu Xiaoning) is tasked with transporting supplies to the war front. Master Ge is renowned for his skills, and his pupil Er Gazi (Zhang Yulong) is even more talented. Master Ge's only daughter, Hong'er (Chen Xuzhu) grew up with Er and wishes to marry him. However, Master Ge had already arranged a marriage for Hong'er, and plans to escort his daughter to her betrothed during the journey. Pursued by enemy soldiers across the desert, the caravan faces relentless attacks. As bullets and arrows fly, loyalties are tested, and each character must make choices that will seal their fate. Camel Caravan weaves a tale of love, betrayal, and sacrifice against the harsh backdrop of war.

The Grass in Wind (2015) Film Screening

Dir/Prod: Luo Ying
Scr: Ye Fu
Prod Cos: Chong Qing Tong Yuan, Sino-Saint Culture Industrial Investment
Cast: Li Xinran, Li Huailong, Li Donghe, Chen Xi, Bai Lanqiao
2015 | Colour | Putonghua | Simplified Chi & Eng Subtitles | 90min

Since ancient times, the peony has been a symbol of love, but in Classic of Poetry, it also became known as the ‘flower of farewell’ when giving as a parting gift. In The Grass in Wind, Qiuye (Li Xinran) marries Dashan (Wong Yi) in a peony-filled ancient town of Cangshan in northern Sichuan. They enjoy a loving marriage until the Japanese army invades China, and Dashan leaves to fight. While awaiting his return, Qiuye is cared by Dashan's mute friend Tusheng (Li Donghe), who develops feelings for her. When the war is won, Dashan's comrade Long (Li Huailong) brings news of his death. Qiuye and Long eventually fall in love with each other, yet Qiuye’s sister-in-law Xiaohua also loves Long. As Qiuye is torn between love and filial loyalty, civil war breaks out. Tusheng and Long depart for battle, and Qiuye once again waits for the return of her beloved among the peonies. The charisma of lead actress Li Xinran, the sea of peonies, the traditional Cangshan drums and music, and the backdrop of the ancient town imbue the film with a rustic yet poetic atmosphere, evoking the melancholy of the turbulent times.