Curiosity and Resilience: Filmmaker Fang Li Inspires Students at SISU Lecture

Embracing curiosity and facing challenges head-on are some of the most valuable pursuits for university students, according to Fang Li, the director and producer behind the acclaimed film The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru.

During a two-hour lecture at the Songjiang campus of Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) today, Fang emphasized that the heart of filmmaking lies in sharing stories that connect with audiences on a deep, emotional level.

Speaking to nearly 700 faculty members and students, including over 30 alumni who traveled from across and beyond Shanghai, Fang shared his journey of bringing The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru to life. He traced its development from initial concept to final release, highlighting the film’s grounding in a significant yet overlooked historical event.

The film recounts the story of the Lisbon Maru, a Japanese transport ship that carried over 1,800 British prisoners of war. After a U.S. submarine sank the vessel in October 1942, the prisoners faced a harrowing ordeal, but the heroic actions of Chinese fishermen saved over 300 lives. With eight years of production, Fang’s film revives this forgotten chapter, illustrating the humanity that transcends national boundaries even amid the horrors of war. Recently, it was selected as the Chinese mainland’s official submission for the Oscars’ Best International Feature Film category.

“I’ve always been a person driven by curiosity, and that hasn’t changed over the years. My curiosity keeps me fascinated by the mysteries of nature and the people around me,” Fang said. He recalled the shock he felt upon discovering the Lisbon Maru incident in 2014, noting that this tragic event—where Chinese fishermen saved hundreds of lives while around 800 perished—was largely unknown in China. “It was my professional curiosity that compelled me to search for the Lisbon Maru. As Chinese filmmakers, when we encounter a piece of history on the verge of fading away, we are responsible for rescuing it,” he explained.

During the Q&A session, Fang encouraged students to nurture their curiosity and embrace challenges as valuable experiences. “University is the perfect time for experimentation and exploration,” he said. “You have the opportunity to try new things, meet diverse people, and find what truly excites you.”

The lecture was part of SISU’s undergraduate course on International Communication of Film and Television, taught by Gao Kai, head of the Broadcasting Department at the School of Journalism and Communication. Gao noted that the course examines the international communication of Chinese films, the film cultures of various countries, and the connections between nations.

“The public lecture is an innovative teaching approach aimed at sparking students’ interest in the global film industry and its future trends through direct interaction with filmmakers,” Gao said. “This experience helps students gain a deeper understanding of film’s role in international communication.”

27 October, 2024 | By SHI Mile and DONG Jiaqi (School of Journalism and Communication) | Shot by Zuo Zhenwei | Copyedited by ZHANG Yi