Documentary shines light on heroic wartime saga

Gathering at the film's premiere, a group of family members of the British soldiers who survived or lost their lives in the Lisbon Maru incident visited the Zhoushan Islands for memorial events from Sunday to Tuesday.

Vince Andrew Hawkins Davies, a 46-year-old family member of a Lisbon Maru survivor, is also hoping the story will become better known worldwide with the release of the film.

Davies' great uncle was among the prisoners rescued by the Chinese fishermen. He managed to make his way back home to the UK years later and lived until 2014, passing at the age of 94. His voice appears at the beginning of the film.

"He told his stories many times before he died, saying everybody was so friendly and kind to help look after him. I wanted to come, meet the people and see the site where it all happened," says Davies.

Nyree Penycate, whose grandfather was a survivor on the ship, brought her 14-year-old son George Penycate along on the trip.

"For people my age, it (the film) might sound boring but the majority isn't. It is quite good and worth watching," says George, who first heard the story when he was five.

"I suppose the main message is that war is not good as it rips families apart and ends generations. It is far happier to get along with everyone — be kind and look for the good in everyone," Penycate adds.

Davies shared similar sentiments: "Don't hold an opinion or judge or blame (when watching the film) — just watch it and see what people can do to help each other. It is natural human instinct that comes through. People are different all around the world but maybe deep down, we are all very similar."

Benham agrees to put the focus on the individuals and families, regarding it as "a different type of history" and a very powerful story.

"The big history is great for teaching textbooks in school but for people to understand what the experience means, we have to focus on the individuals. That's such an approachable human way of explaining history. I think it has far more power than any big Hollywood blockbuster creation," says Benham.

Xing Yi contributed to this story.