Feb 14 • 23:00 UTC 🇨🇳 China South China Morning Post

Will China’s state-backed holiday thriller spill details of little-known spy cases?

A new Chinese film titled 'Scare Out' explores modern espionage, with speculation that it may reveal details about actual spy cases involving sensitive military technology.

The upcoming Chinese film 'Scare Out,' promoted by its distributor on January 29, presents a narrative centered around espionage and the leaking of secrets from the People's Liberation Army (PLA). The film's director, Zhang, indicated that the production implemented a realistic portrayal of modern espionage scenarios while collaborating closely with national security personnel for technical authenticity. The promotional materials released include a video featuring behind-the-scenes footage where a national security officer provides direction to actors on tracking targets, though to ensure security, their identity remains concealed.

Given the context in which the film is produced, many analysts and viewers speculate that 'Scare Out' could allude to real-life spy incidents, particularly those related to advancements in stealth fighter technology. The intertwining of entertainment and state narratives in China often serves dual purposes, such as promoting national pride and enhancing awareness about national security issues among the public. As China's filmmaking increasingly engages with themes of espionage, viewers are left to ponder the extent to which fictionalized accounts may be reflective of actual diplomatic and military tensions.

The release of such films can also serve to reinforce state-sponsored narratives around security, drawing public interest toward issues that may otherwise go unnoticed. By dramatizing espionage and its repercussions, the film not only entertains but also aims at educating the populace about the significance of protecting state secrets and the potentially hidden threats posed by foreign espionage activities. This approach suggests a strategic engagement between cultural production and political messaging in contemporary China.

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