China Selects 'Dead to Rights' as Official Oscar Entry

China has chosen Shen Ao’s "Dead to Rights" as its official submission for Best International Feature at the 98th Academy Awards.

Set during the 1937 Nanjing Massacre, the historical drama follows “Ah Chang” (played by Detective Chinatown star Liu Haoran), a postman who assumes the identity of a photo developer inside a studio under Japanese occupation. 

His silent act of resistance unfolds as he hides Chinese civilians and soldiers, embodying a quiet form of defiance.

The screenplay was co-written by Shen Ao with Zhang Chi and Xu Luoyang. The film is produced by Fu Ruoqing, also behind the sci-fi hit The Wandering Earth, and distributed in North America by Niu Vision Media and Echelon Studios, where it premiered in August.

Since its domestic release on July 25, Dead to Rights has earned more than 3 billion yuan ($415 million), topping the Chinese box office for 16 consecutive days and standing out as one of the summer’s biggest hits.

Despite strong performances at home, China has yet to secure its first Oscar win in the international category. 

The country has received only two nominations so far, both for works by renowned director Zhang Yimou: Ju Dou (1991) and Hero (2003). 

The Academy will reveal the international shortlist on December 16, followed by the five final nominees on January 22, ahead of the Oscars ceremony in March.