Getting World War II picture right

The world deserves to see the battlefields of China and understand the sacrifices its people underwent, and not just the beaches of Normandy or the London blitz

World War II remains the most devastating conflict in human history, engulfing more than 60 countries and dragging nearly 2 billion people into the depths of war. In the eight decades since, cinema has become one of the most powerful mediums for commemorating the war — capturing its brutality, honoring the heroes and preserving its lessons. From Hacksaw Ridge and Dunkirk to Jojo Rabbit and Oppenheimer, World War II continues to be a fertile subject for filmmakers, with many such films finding both critical acclaim and global audiences.

Yet within this vast cinematic archive, Chinese perspectives remain largely absent from the international film stage.

Despite China being one of the main theaters of World War II in Asia — and despite the 14 years of resistance that cost millions of lives and tied down the bulk of Japanese forces — Chinese war films have rarely broken through on the international stage. The Flowers of War failed to secure an Oscar nomination. The documentary Twenty Two, which tells the heartbreaking stories of surviving comfort women — young women in Asian countries forced into sexual slavery for the Japanese military during World War II — was short-listed but ultimately passed over. In contrast, films such as Schindler's List, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Life is Beautiful, Darkest Hour and Dunkirk have shaped global narratives about the war.

This discrepancy points to a profound imbalance: China's enormous contributions to the victory are not matched by its cinematic voice in global memory.

This silence stems not from a lack of stories, but from a mix of historical, political and cultural factors. The Cold War narrative sidelined China's role in favor of Euro-American theaters and Pacific battles. Hollywood conventions often center on the white male savior, relegating Chinese contributions to background cameos — if they appear at all. In Midway, Chinese civilians who risked their lives to save United States airmen are mentioned only in passing. In Pearl Harbor, China's role is reduced to mere fragments — fleeting lines, if mentioned at all.

Beyond the screen, Chinese films still face challenges when it comes to creating audience awareness and ensuring international distribution. While films such as Life is Beautiful, Schindler's List and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas have brought the horrors of the Holocaust to global consciousness, and Darkest Hour and Dunkirk have kept the "Miracle of Dunkirk" vivid in public memory, few viewers around the world are familiar with John Rabe or the harrowing realities of the Nanjing Massacre. Despite some international outreach such as The Eight Hundred being dubbed the Chinese Dunkirk, or Twenty Two collaborating with Netflix and Amazon Prime, Chinese World War II films have struggled to match the global resonance of their Western counterparts.

Breaking free from the cinematic silence shaped by Western-centric narratives is no easy feat — and certainly not a task that can be accomplished overnight. But change is underway.

China's expanding global influence, through initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative and vibrant cultural exchanges, presents new opportunities to amplify its wartime stories. What's needed is a clear, consistent film language — one that retains Chinese cultural depth while connecting emotionally with international viewers.

Quality remains the foundation. Recent films have shown how untold Chinese stories can be powerfully cinematic. Dead to Rights portrays the real-life effort to preserve visual evidence of Japanese war crimes, set in a small photography studio in Nanjing where truth was captured frame by frame. Documentaries such as The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru and narrative films such as Dongji Rescue uncover long-overlooked stories of humanity — Chinese civilians risking their lives to save British prisoners of war after their Japanese transport ship was torpedoed during the war. These lesser-known stories of courage and compassion resonate far beyond China's borders.

International collaboration is key. World War II was a global war, and its memory should be shared globally. Chinese filmmakers can partner with counterparts from all nations to foster a broader perspective. Renowned movie studios and new platforms — whether streaming services or social media channels — can all serve as bridges. The Eight Hundred gained international traction by being branded as China's Dunkirk, with global distribution and presales built into the project from the start. Twenty Two premiered on International Memorial Day for "Comfort Women", reaching audiences in universities and cinemas worldwide and securing streaming deals with platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime.

To retell history is to resist forgetting. As we mark the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War, every frame, every story, every name on screen becomes a monument. The world deserves to see the full picture of World War II — not just the beaches of Normandy or the London blitz, but also the battlefields of China and the sacrifices of its people.

It's time for Chinese war films to take their rightful place on the world stage — not just for recognition, but for remembrance.

The author is an associate professor at the School of Journalism and Communication at Nanjing Normal University and reviewer of the Nanjing Federation of Literary and Art Circles. The author contributed this article to China Watch, a think tank powered by China Daily. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

Contact the editor at editor@chinawatch.cn.