'Operation Hadal'

An IMAX poster for "Operation Hadal." [Image courtesy of IMAX China]

"Operation Hadal," directed by Dante Lam, marks the first cinematic portrayal of China's nuclear submarines and naval combat personnel. The film follows Lam's 2018 military blockbuster "Operation Red Sea," which grossed 3.65 billion yuan and topped China's box office that year.

Yu Dong, chairman of Bona Film Group, dedicated the film as a tribute to the Chinese navy and nation, showcasing the country's development, strength and responsibilities as a major power. The production pushed technical boundaries by constructing full-size submarine sets and excavating a large pit to simulate deep-sea environments. 

The plot follows the Chinese Navy's battle against mercenaries on the offshore platform Deep Blue 3. As elite Jiao Long commandos work to reclaim the facility, they uncover a broader horrifying conspiracy that tests the navy's deep-sea capabilities, leading to submarine battles and a mission to save the world.

The film stars Huang Xuan, Yu Shi, Du Jiang, Zhang Hanyu and Li Chen, with pop star Karry Wang playing a submarine sonar operator. The actors underwent months of training with international combat, diving and weapons handling specialists, performing in harsh conditions, including cold-water diving and sleeping on an offshore platform floor for 10 days. They praised Director Lam for his dedication and willingness to take risks on set to shoot the film, even putting his own life and safety on the line.

It is also worth noting that "Operation Hadal" is the only film under the "Filmed for IMAX" program to be released during the Spring Festival holiday. IMAX-certified cameras accompanied the crew during deep-sea filming to capture underwater sequences. The film features exclusive aspect ratios that offer 26% more picture throughout its runtime, delivering an immersive experience that is unique to IMAX screens.

The marine military action epic premiered for the submarine force of the North Sea Fleet before its Spring Festival release in Chinese theaters. Submarine officers and soldiers praised the film following its first screening. Limited advanced screenings on Jan. 26-27 drew enthusiastic audience responses. The film also aims to be released globally at later dates.