The Silent War (2012 film)

The Silent War
Theatrical release poster
Traditional Chinese	聽風者
Simplified Chinese	听风者
Directed by	Alan Mak Felix Chong
Written by	Alan Mak Felix Chong
Based on	Plot Against by Mai Jia
Produced by	Ronald Wong Charley Zhuo
Starring	Tony Leung Zhou Xun Mavis Fan Wang Xuebing
Cinematography	Anthony Pun
Edited by	Curran Pang
Music by	Chan Kwong-wing
Production companies	Mei Ah Film Production Pop Movies
Distributed by	Mei Ah Entertainment
Release date	10 August 2012 (2012-08-10)
Running time	120 minutes
Countries	China Hong Kong
Languages	Mandarin Cantonese
Box office	$38.5 million [1]

The Silent War is a 2012 spy thriller film directed by Alan Mak and Felix Chong. ^{[2] [3] [4]} A Chinese-Hong Kong co-production adapted from the novel Plot Against written by Mai Jia, it follows a recruit with extrasensory perception working for a government unit tasked with stopping an "invisible enemy". ^[5]

The Silent War won Best Cinematography at the 32nd Hong Kong Film Awards. ^[6]

Plot

He Bing is a blind street hustler with an extraordinary gift, superhuman hearing, which he uses to get by. On October 8, 1951, the mysterious Unit 701 suddenly discovers that all enemy radio stations have vanished, prompting an urgent need for elite listeners. Recognizing the unique value of He Bing's abilities, Zhang Xuening is sent to bring him into 701, hoping he will serve the newly founded People's Republic of China.

He Bing helps 701 locate all enemy transmissions and, in the process, finds the woman he loves and marries her. Zhang Xuening even brings in a renowned doctor to cure He Bing's blindness. However, during a critical listening mission, a mistake on He Bing's part leads to Zhang Xuening's death. Overwhelmed with grief, He Bing blinds himself once again on a rainy night. In doing so, his hearing becomes even more acute, allowing him to help 701 rediscover the enemy radio stations once more.

Cast

• Tony Leung as He Bing
• Zhou Xun as Zhang Xuening
• Mavis Fan as Shen Jing
• Wang Xuebing as Guo Xingzhong
• Dong Yong as Wu Chang
• Carrie Ng as Mrs Li
• Pal Sinn as Luo Saner
• Lam Wai as Captain Yang
• Tang Qun as Mother He
• Jacob Cheung as Sparrow
• Zhang Haiyan as Mrs. Ma

Awards and nominations

32nd Hong Kong Film Awards

• Nominated: Best Screenplay (Alan Mak & Felix Chong)
• Nominated: Best Actor (Tony Leung Chiu-Wai)
• Nominated: Best Actress (Zhou Xun)
• Nominated: Best Supporting Actress (Mavis Fan)
• Won: Best Cinematography (Anthony Pun)
• Nominated: Best Art Direction (Man Lim Chung)
• Nominated: Best Costume & Make Up Design (Man Lim Chung)
• Nominated: Best Original Film Score (Chan Kwong Wing)

Golden Horse Awards

• Nominated: Best Art Direction (Man Lim Chung)
• Nominated: Best Makeup & Costume Design (Man Lim Chung)
• Nominated: Best Sound Effects (Traithep Wongpaiboon, Nopawat Likitwong)
• Nominated: Best Supporting Actress (Mavis Fan)

Asian Film Awards

• Won: Best Costume Designer (Man Lim Chung)
• Nominated: Best Production Designer (Man Lim Chung)

Asia Pacific Film Awards

• Won: Best Sound Effects (Traithep Wongpaiboon, Nopawat Likitwong)

Huading Awards

• Won: Best Supporting Actress (Mavis Fan)

References

1. "Ting Feng Zhe (2012)". The Numbers. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
2. James Marsh (10 August 2012). "Review: THE SILENT WAR is All Static, No Message". Twitch . Retrieved 16 August 2012.
3. James Marsh (3 July 2012). "Blinding New Poster For Alan Mak & Felix Chong's THE SILENT WAR". Twitch . Retrieved 16 August 2012.
4. Hugo Ozman (22 June 2012). "First Teaser for THE SILENT WAR – Latest Film from Creators of OVERHEARD and THE LOST BLADESMAN". Twitch . Retrieved 16 August 2012.
5. "The Silent War (聽風者) (2012)".
6. "32nd Hong Kong Film Awards 2013". HK Neo Reviews. Retrieved 14 April 2013.

External links

• The Silent War at IMDb