VJ 80 Special: “The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru” cinemas marathon (live update) |

Feature documentary ‘The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru’ is set for a year-round release across UK and Ireland cinemas as a response to the world-wide 80th VE & VJ Anniversary memorial activities.

Produced by Laurel Films, directed by Fang Li who was also the Executive Producer, ‘The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru’ is a poignant documentary that sheds light on a forgotten chapter of World War II. In October 1942, the Lisbon Maru, a Japanese transport ship secretly carrying over 1,800 British prisoners of war, was torpedoed off the coast of China by an American submarine unaware of its human cargo. Through rare archival footage, survivor testimonies, and expert interviews, the documentary uncovers the harrowing journey of the prisoners as the ship began to sink, leaving them trapped below deck. The film also highlights local Chinese fishermen who risked their lives to rescue as many prisoners as they could.

As the UK and Ireland all-rights distributor of this film, we have been facing multiple challenges from all sides since the beginning of the acquisition. While recognising how important it is for hundreds of family members to be able to see the film on a big screen, we have decided take on a long-term grassroots distribution model. It is our wish to deliver this film to as many cities, towns and villages as we can to be part of the wider anniversary activities, to promote peacebuilding via cinema-going.

BOOK THIS FILM

For communithy cinemas and film societies. If you a film society or a community cinema, please book this film here.
There are currently over 500 family members who are directly related to the history. It will mean a lot to them if you host the screening and invite them to share their memorhy as an intro.

FULL LIST OF SCREENINGS

DECEMBER

Sat 13 December
Birmingham People’s History Archive

OCTOBER

Fri 3 October
Chicester Cinema | 15:30

Sun 5 October
Chiceter Cinema | 12:15

AUGUST – SEPTEMBER

Fri 15 August (VJ Day)

Village Hall of East Brent, Weston-super-Mare | 19:00

Phoenix Cinema and Art Centre, Leicester | 18:00
Suggested by family members

The Submarine Centre, Helensburgh, Scotland | 19:00
Suggested by family members

The Regent Street Cinema, London | 19:30

Sun 24 August
Kino Hawkhurst, Kent | 15:00

5-7 September
International Convention Centre, Belfast | Free Screenings

Sat 13 September
Fairfield Village Hall | Community Screening
Suggested by family members

[WEEK 18]

Thu 17 July
Ludlow Assembly Rooms | 19:30 + Dinner
Suggested by family members

Fri 18 July, Sat 19 July
Phoenix Cinema and Art Centre, Leicester | 17:30
Suggested by family members

[WEEK 15]

Wed 25 June
Everyman Oxted (Private Hire Screening) | 14:00
Organised by family members and relatives

[WEEK 13]

Fri 13 June
Everyman Liverpool | 17:45
Part of of Researching FEPOW History Conference 2025

[WEEK 12]

Tue 3 June
Leighton Buzzard Library Theatre | 20:00

[VE Day WEEK 7-11]

Sun 4 May
Broadway Cinema, Letchworth Garden City

Mon 5 May
Berta DocHouse, London | 15:30
Northampton Filmhouse | 12:45

Wed 7 May
Northampton Filmhouse | 17:30

Sat 10, 13, 15 May
Berta DocHouse, London

Sat 10, 13 May
Chichester Cinema at New Park

Fri 16 May
Haslemere Hall, Haslemere (As part of Haslemere Festival)

Fri 16 May
Salisbury Rugby Football Club (Charity Screening) | 14:30
*£140 raised for the Lisbon Maru Memorial Association

Fri 23 May
Regent Street Cinema (Private Screening) | 18:00
*As the Opening Film of the China Film Festival (UK) 2025 organised by the Chinese Embassy in London and China Film Bereau. Provided screening right and material support to this diplomatic event.

Fri 23 May
Chulmleigh Pavilion (Charity Screening) | 19:30
*£522.54 raised for the Lisbon Maru Memorial Association

[WEEK 5-6]

Preparing for VE Week

[WEEK 3-4]

Mon 7 April
Cheltenham Everyman | 20.30

Mon 7 April
Harrogate Everyman | 17.15

Mon 7 April
Chelmsford Everyman | 21:00

Thurs 10 April
Barnett Everyman | 19.30 (5th screening at this cinema)

Fri 11 April
Offton & Willisham Village Hall (Charity Screening) | 19:30
*£270 raised for the Lisbon Maru Memorial Association

[WEEK 2] – Everyman Cinema

Fri 28 March
Bath | 16:45

Sat 29 March
Barnet, London | 15:00

Mon 31 March 2025

Wed 2 April
Salisbury Everyman | 14.45 (3rd screening)

[WEEK 1] – Everyman Cinema

Mon 24 March 2025

Barnet, London + Intro by Alasdair Brooks, Grandson of Charles Brooks (SOLD OUT)
Bath
Bristol Intro by Chris Hutchison
Cambridge
Cardiff
Cheltenham
Edinburgh + Intro by Josephine Olsson
Glasgow
Leeds
Lincoln
Manchester
Newcastle
Plymouth + Intro by Lesley Smith
Salisbury

Tue 25 Mar 2025
Montrose Playhouse, Montrose | 17:00

Wed 26 2025
Barnet Everyman Cinema, London | 12:20

Mon 17 March 2025
Regent Street Cinema, London
(UK Premiere Event, Invitations Only)

[BAFTA Qualifying Previews]

1 December 2024
Electric Shadows, Phoenix Cinema, Leicester (International Festival Premiere, the first film festival outside of China)

22 Jan 2025
Ultimate Picture Palace, Oxford (BAFTA Competition Eligibility Preview)

27 Jan 2025
Courtyard Cinema, Hereford (BAFTA Competition Eligibility Preview)

27 Feb 2025
Royal Scots Club, Edinburgh (Charity screening)
*£1218 donation raised for the Lisbon Maru Memorial Association [UK]

Mon 3 March 2025
Everyman Cinema in Glasgow (SOLD OUT), Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham (BAFTA Competition Eligibility Previews)

VJ 80 Special: “The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru” cinemas marathon (live update)