Chinese espionage thriller makes debut in LA

Decoded, a Chinese espionage thriller, made its global debut in Los Angeles on Tuesday. (RENA LI/CHINA DAILY)

The Chinese espionage thriller Decoded, which is being called a groundbreaking film that blurs the lines between dreams and reality, made its global debut in the Los Angeles area.

The premiere was held Tuesday at an AMC theater in Monterey Park, California.

Adapted from the award-winning novel by Mai Jia, Decoded is set against "the turbulent backdrop of the 1940s, when accurately deciphering enemy codes was crucial amid global unrest", said CMC Pictures, which is marketing the film, in a release.

The story follows Rong Jinzhen, a young prodigy with extraordinary mathematical abilities. Raised by university dean Li Liren and his wife, Rong's life takes a dramatic turn when he solves a complex problem posed by his professor, Hayes.

The remarkable achievement catches the attention of the enigmatic 701 Bureau, led by director Zheng, thrusting Rong into the clandestine world of code breaking.

Directed by Chinese filmmaker Chen Sicheng, Decoded features a stellar ensemble cast, including Liu Haoran, John Cusack, Chen Daoming, Daniel Wu and Yu Feihong. This film marks Chen Sicheng's latest bold venture following the remarkable success of his Detective Chinatown series and Sheep Without a Shepherd.

The story unfolds in the high-stakes world of espionage, loaded with suspense and tension.

Through the art of decoding, the film portrays the relationship between mentor and protégé as a poetic and fateful duel, where each becomes both the cause and the effect of the other, according to Bohan Gong, senior manager of International Distribution Department at CMC Pictures.

"In addition to its compelling story, Decoded showcases breathtaking visuals, immersive soundscapes, and meticulous production design, pushing sensory boundaries," Gong said. "This film sets a new benchmark for Chinese filmmaking, offering a fresh, innovative approach to the industry."

Audiences have praised the film's visual effects, sound design and emotional depth, expressing admiration for its cinematography, acting and international collaboration. They highlighted the impressive work of the crew and actors from both China and America.

Andrzej Bartkowiak, a Hollywood cinematographer and film director, commended the film for its universal appeal.

"The film is truly international. It tackles important subjects, but at its core, it's about geniuses — and geniuses are universal. It's a story about two geniuses from different countries," Bartkowiak told China Daily. "The film was beautifully executed in every aspect — scope, lighting, directing, acting — it was flawless. I loved it."

"This film is absolutely spectacular — beautifully crafted with not only great cinematography but also amazing effects and stunning fantasy elements. It's truly a work of art," said Charles Herzfeld, a production manager and writer.

Digital artist Hari Tahov praised the film, calling the visual effects incredible. "What I loved most were the sound effects — they truly deepened the entire experience for me. The actor delivered an incredible performance; I could really feel his emotions, and the story's development was very touching," he said. "It was also a collaborative effort, involving actors and crew from two different countries — China and America."

The movie will be released globally starting Thursday. The initial wave of screenings will take place in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, with additional regions to be announced soon.