One of the most highly anticipated Chinese films of the year has become the center of heated discussion online after its release was postponed. The film 731, which over three million users marked as “want to see” on the ticketing platform Maoyan, was initially scheduled to open on July 31 but now lists only “2025” as its release window.
Directed by Zhao Linshan and starring acclaimed mainland actors including Jiang Wu and Wang Zhiwen, 731 focuses on the biological and chemical experiments carried out by the Japanese Kwantung Army’s Unit 731 in Northeast China during the Sino-Japanese War and World War II. Told from the perspective of ordinary civilians, the film seeks to shed light on one of history’s darkest chapters.
The film’s release was timed to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the end of the Sino-Japanese conflict, but the sudden delay has led to speculation. Some netizens suggested the subject matter, with its violent and graphic undertones, may have raised censorship concerns. Others noted petitions circulating online, as well as the removal of release dates from promotional posters, fueling further debate.
On Weibo, users voiced frustration at the uncertainty. Many argued that the atrocities committed by Unit 731 should be remembered through cinema and not hidden from younger generations. “This is history that deserves to be remembered,” one user wrote. “Why should the film be blocked just because some people are afraid?” Another commented, “I fully support releasing the film on schedule without cuts, so more people can witness the truth.”
The controversy also sparked comparisons with Man Behind the Sun, the 1988 Hong Kong production that graphically depicted Unit 731’s crimes and was rated Category III for adults-only audiences. Some doubted whether the new film could match the intensity of its predecessor, while others questioned its overall quality. “What if the real problem isn’t censorship, but that the film doesn’t live up to expectations?” one user remarked.
Director Zhao has emphasized the film’s commitment to accuracy, noting that he studied more than 8,000 pages of archival documents and over 400 hours of footage to ensure historical authenticity. Speaking at the 20th Huabiao Film Awards, Zhao stressed that “every frame and narrative detail must have a documented historical basis.”
Despite speculation, no official explanation has been provided for the delay. For many, the fate of 731 has become symbolic of a broader struggle between preserving memory and navigating sensitive history.
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