In collaboration with Canadian New Tang Dynasty and New Horizons Films, the political thriller film “The Puppeteers” recently wrapped up filming successfully in Toronto.
Directed by Kevin Yang, known for his work on “Claws of the Red Dragon,” “The Puppeteers” serves as a standalone story while continuing the exploration of the global ambitions of the Chinese Communist Party and its conflicts with the free world, delivering a tense and cautionary thriller for the audience.
The story of “The Puppeteers” revolves around Stella Bolano, a resilient intelligence agent from Canada, who unravels a secretive network spread across Canada, including undercover operations of the Chinese Communist Party abroad, through investigating a suspicious suicide case. In her quest for truth, Stella faces multiple obstacles from adversaries, even risking assassination, and must confront challenges to her personal beliefs and the difficulties faced by her family.
Both Kevin Yang and Wang Nian Zhen, who also worked as screenwriters for the film, based the plot on real events, blending them into fictional narratives. Skilled in realism, they use complex character development and profound societal insights to expose the contradictions and conflicts present in the international community.
This marks the second collaboration between the two after “Claws of the Red Dragon,” a film based on the political crisis between Canada and China triggered by the arrest of Huawei’s CFO Meng Wanzhou, which was nominated for Best TV movie at the 2020 Canadian Screen Awards.
Apart from the reunion of the screenwriting team, the cinematographer for “The Puppeteers,” Arthur Cooper, continues his acclaimed style from “Claws of the Red Dragon.” Arthur previously won the CSA award for Best Cinematography for his work on the film. Through his lens, he flawlessly combines the urban vibe of modern Toronto with the tense atmosphere of espionage.
As a new masterpiece from the screenwriting, directing, and cinematography team of “Claws of the Red Dragon,” the film maintains a high standard of creativity, offering both intellectual depth and strong entertainment value.
Canadian singer and actress Amy Rivard takes on the role of Stella in the film, showcasing her extensive acting experience by masterfully portraying the professional calmness and personal emotional struggles of the agent, leaving a lasting impression.
Director Kevin Yang, when asked about the potential success of “The Puppeteers” compared to their previous work, emphasized the importance of the film’s message, stating, “We are more concerned about the meaning of the film itself. If it can raise awareness and resistance against the transnational repression by the Chinese Communist Party internationally, that would be our greatest success.”
“The Puppeteers” is scheduled for a global release in May to June 2025.