Documentary The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru is set for streaming in the UK and Ireland from 15 August to mark VJ Day 80th anniversary.
As the official government VE & VJ 80 website describes:
“While VE Day (Victory in Europe) marked the end of the war in Europe in May 1945, many thousands of Armed Forces personnel were still engaged in fighting in the Far East.
Victory over Japan would come at a heavy price, and Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day) marks the day Japan surrendered on 15 August 1945, which ended the Second World War.
Fighting in the Asia-Pacific took place from Hawaii to North East India. Britain and the Commonwealth’s principle fighting force, the Fourteenth Army, was one of the most diverse in history – more than 40 languages were spoken, and all the world’s major religions represented.
The descendants of many of the Commonwealth veterans of that army are today part of multicultural communities around the world, a lasting legacy to the success and comradeship of those who fought in the Asia-Pacific.”
Produced by Laurel Films, directed by Fang Li, 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 1,816 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.
Since earlier this year, as the distributor of this documentary, we have been doing our best to deliver the film across the country.
From 15 August onwards, new screenings have been added in selected cities, including London’s Regent Street Cinema. There are over 500 relatives and family members in the country that are directly connected with this history. While some of them live in rural areas without a local cinema, they have yet managed to see the full film.
As VJ Day is soon approaching, we have decided to make this film available for streaming online, so that those who have not seen the docuementary can have an opportunity to view the film where ever they are, when ever they want.
Watch
The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru
online here.
The streaming platform is our very own channel, which we use for our annual hybrid film festival ODYSSEY.
The service is powered by New Zealand based company, Shift 72.At last, audience in the UK and Ireland will be able to watch The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru from 15 August, as their unique way to be part of the worldwide VJ Day 80th anniversary memorial.
The King’s Speech and VJ 80 Memorial Service at the National Memorial Arboretum
On Friday 15th August, His Majesty King Charles III will commemorate the 80th anniversary of VJ Day with an address to the nation, Buckingham Palace has announced.
The Royal British Legion, in partnership with the UK Government, will also hold the National Commemorative Event to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day and the end of the Second World War.
The service will feature 400 members of the Armed Forces and include music from military bands, as well as a flypast from the Red Arrows and historic aircraft from The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, where they will be joined Their Majesties The King and Queen.
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