"Evil Unbound," a Chinese film on the crimes of Japan's notorious Unit 731 -- infamous for conducting germ warfare during its invasion of China from 1931 to 1945 -- premiered in movie theaters across North America on Thursday, resonating deeply with local audiences.
Unit 731, a top-secret biological and chemical warfare research base in Harbin, the capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, served as the nerve center for Japanese biological warfare in China and Southeast Asia during WWII.
Historical records indicate that from 1940 to 1945, Unit 731 used at least 3,000 people in human experiments, and more than 300,000 people in China were killed by Japan's biological weapons.
"Evil Unbound" was released on Sept. 18, the 94th anniversary of the September 18 Incident, which marked the start of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in China's war of resistance against Japanese aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
The premiere of the film coincided with the anniversary of the September 18 Incident, which marked the start of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in China's war of resistance against Japanese aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
After watching the film, many American moviegoers described it as powerful.
"[I felt] devastated. It's really going to have a national [impact]. It's very powerful," said Jenny, a moviegoer who appeared visibly shaken as she left the theater in New York City.
"One word is 'tough' [to describe how I feel]. That's a lot of emotions. I'd say emotional, as impactful for everyone who watches it," said Jonathan, another moviegoer.
"While remembering history, I believe everyone should reflect on what we should do in the future," said Li Hanwen, a fellow viewer at the New York screening.
Meanwhile, the film held simultaneous premiere events in Ottawa, Canada's capital, and in Markham, part of the Greater Toronto Area. In Markham, staff from the Chinese Consulate General in Toronto and hundreds of overseas Chinese attended the screening.
"I feel indignation toward the atrocities they committed. China's grand military parade on September 3 made today's younger generation feel immensely proud of our country. It gave us the sense that such atrocities will never happen to our generation again. We feel sorrow and pain for what our predecessors went through, and also take great pride in the strength of our country today," said Li Meiling, who attended the screening in Markham.
Chinese film about Japan's notorious Unit 731 premieres in North America
Chinese film on Japan's notorious Unit 731 premieres in North America
