"A dark chapter in history that must never fade from memory..." Well Go USA has just unveiled a spine-chilling first-look teaser for a Chinese film titled *731*, also known as *Evil Unbound*, which recounts the harrowing and true story of the notorious Japanese Unit 731's atrocities committed at the end of WWII in China. Yet another poignant new film emerging from China, it delves into the horrors perpetrated by the Japanese Army—a narrative that stirs concerns that it might be attempting to rekindle animosity between the Chinese and Japanese peoples, which is, undoubtedly, an unacceptable notion.
Set against the grim backdrop of the bacterial experiments orchestrated by the Japanese Imperial Army's Unit 731 in Northeast China, the film unveils the heinous crimes of this unit through the tumultuous journey of an ordinary individual. Based on real events during WWII in Northeast China, the narrative follows an ordinary man who finds himself ensnared in a nightmarish fate amidst the inhumane experiments conducted by the infamous Japanese Unit 731. The cast includes Wu Jiang, Zhiwen Wang, Naiwen Li, Qian Sun, and Ziye Lin.
In just 15 seconds, this teaser packs a punch with its disturbing footage, leaving a lasting impression. It is a hauntingly effective preview that promises to terrify. Stay tuned for the full trailer soon.
The film chronicles the sinister tale of the Japanese Army's Unit 731, stationed in Harbin's Pingfang District on the eve of victory in the War of Resistance in 1945. Under the pretext of "water supply & epidemic prevention," this malevolent unit conducted bacteriological warfare research and butchered civilians through grotesque human experimentation, unveiling a myriad of crimes against humanity. Through the tragic plight of innocent civilians, such as street vendor Wang Yongzhang—who were deceived, captured, imprisoned, and subjected to inhumane live experiments—the film portrays the suffering, awakening, and indomitable resistance of ordinary people amidst the chaos of war.
*731*, also bearing the English title *Evil Unbound* and titled *731: Biochemical Apocalypse* or *Mad 731* in Mandarin, is penned and directed by Chinese filmmaker Linshan Zhao, known for his previous work on *The Assassins* with Chow Yun-Fat, though he has remained relatively low-key since then. The film is produced by Hong Wang, Zhuang Yan, and Wang Zhang. Well Go USA is set to release Linshan Zhao's *731* in select US theaters simultaneously with its Chinese debut, starting on September 19th, 2025—mark your calendars!
Is anyone else intrigued to witness this harrowing tale unfold on the big screen?
