An edge-of-your-seat political thriller inspired by true events during the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak in China, “The Unrestricted War,” premieres on Aug. 8, exclusively on GJW+, the streaming platform hosted by Gan Jing World.
“The Unrestricted War,“ directed by Toronto-based filmmaker Yan Ma, will stream at 9 p.m. ET and includes a live watch party. After the film, viewers can join an interactive Q&A with the director and the film’s lead actress, Uni Park.
The film tells the story of Dr. Jim Conrad, a prominent Canadian virologist working in Beijing on a biotech initiative. His work takes a dark turn when he and his wife, Sophie, are detained without warning by Chinese Communist Party (CCP) secret police. With their young daughter still in China and their lives in peril, Jim is issued a chilling ultimatum: steal a classified viral sample from a high-security laboratory, or disappear forever.
“This is an absolutely stunning film. Stunning both because of the technical quality of it and the performance, and the story. It is hard to overstate the importance of it at this moment, because we are at war with the Chinese Communist Party,” Frank Gaffney, president of the Institute for the American Future, said at “The Unrestricted War” premiere screening and panel discussion event on Capitol Hill on July 31.
The film’s title refers to a real-life Chinese military strategy meant to destabilize enemy societies without firing a shot, called unrestricted warfare. Unlike conventional warfare, this strategy aims to weaken enemy societies by blending into everyday life through infiltration, technology, information warfare, and media manipulation.
The production of this political thriller was a risk in itself, said filmmakers. Director Yan Ma faced intense pressure from CCP authorities: He was harassed by agents, a relative’s income was cut off, and one actor dropped out just days before filming due to threats by CCP operatives in Canada. The film’s original Canadian premiere was canceled just 24 hours before the scheduled screening, another move Ma attributes to external interference.
“Making this film took not just talent and hard work, but courage. As a Chinese Canadian filmmaker, I’ve seen firsthand the risks involved in telling stories like this,” Ma told The Epoch Times.
“Our team never backed down, because we knew it was a story that demanded to be told. This film doesn’t offer all the answers, but it opens a window to a reality we can’t afford to ignore.”
The film, banned in China, is being released exclusively on GJW+, a platform dedicated to spotlighting human rights, traditional values, and honest storytelling.
Viewers can join the exclusive online premiere by subscribing to GJW+ at www.ganjingworld.com.
“The Unrestricted War”
Director: Yan Ma
Starring: Nadia Hatta, Dylan Bruce, Uni Park, Russell Yuen
Runtime: 2 hours, 20 minutes
Platform: GJW+ (exclusive streaming)
Premiere: Aug. 8, 9 p.m. ET
From NTD News