The Silent War is a 2012 spy thriller film directed by Alan Mak and Felix Chong. 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".
The Silent War won Best Cinematography at the 32nd Hong Kong Film Awards.
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.
Golden Horse Awards
Asian Film Awards
Asia Pacific Film Awards