China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) has endorsed its first feature film, 'Scare Out', a spy thriller directed by Oscar-nominated Zhang Yimou. The movie, released on Chinese New Year's Day, 17 February, follows the hunt for a mole within China's intelligence service who is leaking secrets about a new fighter jet.
The MSS has promoted the film on social media, stating it aims to 'strengthen the people’s defence line' and 'echo the needs of national security education'. This marks a significant departure for the normally secretive agency, which has become more open in recent years, posting daily on WeChat and sharing real counterespionage cases.
Security experts see the film as part of a broader effort to mobilise citizens to report suspicious activity. Sheena Greitens, an associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin, described it as 'a very sophisticated effort to make national security entertaining and fun to support'.
Director Zhang Yimou, known for films like 'Hero' and 'Raise the Red Lantern', wrote in the People's Daily that MSS officers accompanied the filming to ensure accuracy. The movie has grossed 1.1 billion yuan ($160 million) in two weeks and is playing in the US, Canada, and Australia.
Some viewers praised the film as more engaging than traditional patriotic education. However, the release comes amid reports of CIA recruitment videos targeting Chinese officials, highlighting the ongoing espionage rivalry between the two nations.
