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.
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.
“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.
“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
