Directed by Ao Shen, The Nanjing Photo Studio (南京照相馆, international title Dead to Rights) is a Chinese historical drama inspired by the 1937 Nanjing Massacre. Starring Liu Haoran, Xiao Wang, and Ye Gao, the film will be released in French theaters on January 7, 2026. It explores memory and resistance through the journey of a young photographer confronted with the violence of war.
When the Japanese army brutally captured Nanjing in December 1937, a young man escaped death by pretending he could help the soldiers develop their photos. He then turned a studio into a refuge and a place of resistance, risking his life to save civilians and reveal evidence of the atrocities committed.
Directed and co-written by Ao Shen with Luyang Xu, the film was shot in China between Nanjing and Beijing. Released in China on July 25, 2025, it grossed over $370 million at the box office, becoming the biggest Chinese historical hit of the year. Its photography-centric aesthetic highlights the value of images as instruments of memory and resistance. Liu Haoran, known for the Detective Chinatown saga, plays the lead character.
The story highlights photography as a silent witness to war. The studio becomes a space where death and hope intersect, and where each photograph represents an act of courage. The film is aimed at viewers interested in stories inspired by real events and grand historical epics such as City of Life and Death and Schindler's List.
The Nanjing Photo Studio
Film | 2026
In theaters on January 7, 2026
Drama, Historical, War | Runtime: 2h17
Directed by Ao Shen | Starring Liu Haoran, Xiao Wang, Ye Gao
Original Title: Nanjing Zhao Xiang Guan
Country: China
Nanjing Photo Studio offers a reflection on memory and dignity through photography, an essential witness to the darkest hours of Chinese history.
To extend your theater experience, check out January's movie releases, films to see right now, and our selection of dramas of the year.
This page may contain AI-assisted elements, more information here.
