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China's Espionage Film 'Scare Out' Premieres Amid Security Ties

2/15/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Scare Out, directed by Zhang Yimou, premieres on February 17 and is supervised by the Ministry of State Security, which guided the script on espionage cases.
The plot centers on leaked secrets about a new fighter jet.
A promotional video, Spies Among Us, shows a national security officer instructing actors on tracking techniques.
The collaboration marks an instance of the Chinese government engaging in film production tied to national security.

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Story summary

Scare Out, directed by Zhang Yimou, premieres on February 17 and is supervised by the Ministry of State Security, which guided the script on espionage cases.
The plot centers on leaked secrets about a new fighter jet.
A promotional video, Spies Among Us, shows a national security officer instructing actors on tracking techniques.
The collaboration marks an instance of the Chinese government engaging in film production tied to national security.