Film Overview: The Coming War on China
Running time: 1hr 53min Rating: Exempt from Classification In John Pilger’s 60th film for ITV, The Coming War on China shed lights on an issue missed by mainstream media. Two nuclear armed nations, the US and the world’s second biggest economic power, China, are on the road to war. Amid The Coming War on China providing a very timely warning, John Pilger also presents an inspiring story of resistance. While the media has given some attention (and rightly so) to concerns about Russia, what is happening in the Pacific has been ignored. Simmering territorial disputes in the South China Sea are the tip of the iceberg, as the Obama administration has overseen the largest buildup of nuclear arsenal in history. Much of this increase has been directed to the “pivot to Asia”, providing a clear focus from the US on the region. It is clear, that the US is ready to aggressively counter any Chinese aspiration to convert commercial prosperity into regional power. Pilger provides historical context to what these moves represent, filling in the gaps to the strategic moves being made. Added to this, the recent moves of Donald Trump, encouraging America to consider China the enemy, it seems the buildup to war has no signs of abating any time soon. Overall, Pilger’s film, The Coming War on China, provides a corrective view to the indifference and complacency that has plagued the new war-game scenario building in the Pacific.Published Articles & Reviews
Karl Quinn – The Sydney Morning Herald. ” It’s dramatic stuff. But is he perhaps over-emphasising the American risk and downplaying the significance of the Chinese build-up in order to make his point?No, he insists. “The point I make in the film is that one-sided news suppresses the degree of danger we face,” he says. “The fact that China itself is surrounded by US bases, with American ships, missiles and bombers on its doorstep, has been virtually ignored. Once you fill in the whole picture, the pattern is clear. With every American move in the region, China reacts.”
Jim Schembri – 3AW ” Pilger’s latest work, The Coming War on China, examines the changing face of China and questions the growing US military presence in the Pacific region. He argues that while China is not a likely threat to America, the military muscle being flexed by the US could prompt conflict.“
Craig Mathieson – Brisbane Times 3.5 STARS ” His take on American militarism and its shocking exploitation of Pacific territories such as the Marshall Islands…. is damning.“
Trevor Johnston – Radio Times 4 STARS “…Pilger characteristically explores the opposite angle, questioning the ultimate purpose of a whole phalanx of US bases from Australia through the Pacific to South Korea and Japan – all pointing their weaponry at China.”
Louise Agostino – FilmBlerg 4 BLERGS “This documentary sheds some hope, even if the reality we face could very well be doomed. Pilger is a prevailing light of truth and shows that light exactly.”
Neil Young – The Hollywood Reporter “A persuasively partisan example of old-school investigative journalism”
Peter Bradshow – The Guardian 4 STARS “A gripping film … a strong corrective to our bland and complacent indifference”
John Noonan – FilmInk “It sounds like alarmist talk, but over the course of his film, his tenacity for research aims to prove it’s anything but.”
John Bleasdale – Cinevue “The kind of stark warning we need”
Stephen Romei – The Australian “The first thing I need to say about John Pilger is that he is the reason I am a journalist, for which he has my deep gratitude.”
John Parker – Entertainment Focus “A chilling documentary, which in any other year might seem far-fetched. In 2016 however, it is the scariest film of the year. “
“The aim of this film is to break a silence: the United States and China may be on the road to war, and nuclear war is no longer unthinkable”
Upcoming Screenings
Friday 7th April - Hobart, Tasmania
Cinema: 375 Elizabeth Street, North Hobart Tasmania, Australia 7000Time: 1.20pm Buy tickets Dates: 7-12th, 13, 15, 17, 19th April
Saturday 8th April - Wellington, New Zealand
Cinema: Lighthouse Cinema, Cuba 29 Wigan St Te Aro.Time: 3.30pm Buy tickets Dates: 8th – 12th April
Saturday 8th April - Academy Cinemas, New Zealand
Cinema: Central Library Building, 44 Lorne Street, Auckland CityTime: 2.45pm Buy tickets Dates: 8th & 9th April
Sunday 9th April - Auckland, New Zealand
Cinema: Bridgeway Cinema Auckland.Time: 3.20pm Buy tickets Dates: 9th – 12th April
Sunday 9th April - Auckland, New Zealand
Cinema: Monterey Cinema, 4/2 Fencible Drive, Howick 2014Time: 1.00pm Buy tickets Dates: 9th, 10th, 13th April
Sunday 9th April - Geelong, VIC
Cinema: Corner Moorabool & Verner St, South Geelong 3220Time: 4.00pm Buy tickets Dates: 9th, 11th, 13th
Wednesday 14th April - Nimbin, NSW
Cinema: Nimbin Bush TheatreTime: 8.00pm Buy tickets $10 entry
Sunday 23rd April - Bardon, Brisbane
Cinema: Magda Community Arts Centre, 80 Boundary Road BardonTime: 5.00pm Buy tickets
Tuesday 25th April - Darwin NT
Cinema: Deckchair Cinema Jervois Rd off Kitchener Drive, Darwin Waterfront, NT 0800Time: 7.30pm Buy tickets 25th April & 15th May
Sunday 7th May - Cairns, Queensland
Cinema: End Credits Film Club, Centre of Contemporary Arts, Cairns
96 Abbott Street, Cairns, QLD 4870Time: 4.30pm Buy tickets
“I urge you to see this film”
Previous Screenings
Friday 10th February - Carlton VIC
Cinema: Cinema Nova, 380 Lygon St, Carlton, VICTime: 6:30pm 10th February 2017***Q & A with director John Pilger will follow the screening***
Thursday 16th February - Newtown NSW
Cinema: Dendy Cinemas, 261-263 King Street, Newtown NSWTime: 16th February 2017***Q & A with director John Pilger will follow the screening***
Wednesday 22nd February - Adelaide
Cinema: Mercury Cinema, 13 Morphett Street, Adelaide, SA, 5000Time: 7pm 22nd February 2017
Thursday 23rd February - Rosebud VIC
Cinema: Rosebud Cinema, 30 Rosebud Parade, Rosebud VIC 3939 Time: 23rd February 2017
Thurs 23rd February - Dendy Cinemas Canberra
Cinema: Dendy Cinemas, Level 2, North Quarter, Canberra Centre 148 Bunda Street Time: 23rd February 2017***Q & A with director John Pilger will follow the screening***
Sunday 26th February - New Farm Cinema Brisbane
Cinema: New Farm Six Cinema, 701 Brunswick St New Farm, QLD 4005 Time: 4.30pm 26th February 2017
Sunday 26th February - Adelaide
Cinema: Mercury Cinema, 13 Morphett Street, Adelaide, SA, 5000Time: 4pm 26th February 2017
Wednesday 1st March - Cremorne NSW
Cinema: Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace, 380 Military Road, Cremorne NSW 2090Time: 6:20pm 1st March 2017***Q & A with director John Pilger will follow the screening***
Friday 3rd March - Adelaide
Cinema: Mercury Cinema, 13 Morphett Street, Adelaide, SA, 5000Time: 1pm 3rd March 2017
Sunday 5th March - Adelaide
Cinema: Mercury Cinema, 13 Morphett Street, Adelaide, SA, 5000Time: 4:45pm 5th March 2017
Monday 6th March - Parramatta NSW
Cinema: Raffertys Theatre, Corner Church St & Market St, Parramatta NSWTime: 6pm Monday 6th March 2017***Q & A with director John Pilger will follow the screening***
Thursday 9th March - Northbridge WA
Cinema: Cinema Paradiso, 164 James St Northbridge WA 6003Time: Thursday 9th March 2017
Friday 10th March - Adelaide
Cinema: Mercury Cinema, 13 Morphett Street, Adelaide, SA, 5000Time: 11am 10th March 2017
Sunday 12th March - Adelaide
Cinema: Mercury Cinema, 13 Morphett Street, Adelaide, SA, 5000Time: 4pm 12th March 2017
Monday 13th March - New Farm Cinema Brisbane
Cinema: New Farm Six Cinema, 701 Brunswick St New Farm, QLD 4005Time: 6.30pm 13th March 2017
Friday 17th March - Adelaide
Cinema: Mercury Cinema, 13 Morphett Street, Adelaide, SA, 5000Time: 1pm 17th March 2017
Saturday 18th March - Parramatta NSW
Cinema: Raffertys Theatre, Corner Church St & Market St, Parramatta NSWTime: 7pm Saturday 18th March 2017
Thursday 23rd March - Empire Cinema Bowral NSW
Cinema: Raffertys Theatre, Corner Church St & Market St, Parramatta NSWTime: 6.30pm Live Q&A
***Q & A with Dr Helen Caldicott will follow the screening***
Sunday 26th March - Adelaide
Cinema: Mercury Cinema, 13 Morphett Street, Adelaide, SA, 5000Time: 4pm 26th March 2017
Wednesday 29th March - Byron Bay NSW
Cinema: Byron Centre, 69 Jonson St, Byron Bay NSW 2481Time: 6.30pm
Thurday 30th March - Newcastle NSW
Cinema: Tower Cinemas Newcastle, 183-185 King St Newcastle 2300Time: 6.30pm
Thurday 30th March - Wellington, New Zealand
Cinema: Lighthouse Cinema, Cuba 29 Wigan St Te Aro.Time: 6.00pm
***Q & A with eminent panel will follow the screening***
Wednesday 5th April - Busselton, WA
Cinema: Orana Cinema 27 Albert St, Busselton WA 6280.Time: 6.15pm

Reviews
“Since Donald Trump won the US Presidential election there’s been a whole smorgasbord of geopolitical anxieties to keep you awake at night…. But if you do manage to drop off to sleep, finally forgetful of the terror of the near future, the subject of veteran documentary filmmaker John Pilger’s latest film will have you bathed in a cold sweat and bolt upright in no time” – CINEVUE “A film that has the power to change hearts and minds is always worthy of recognition and John Pilger’s 60th anniversary piece, The Coming War on China, certainly knows no bounds.” – Chloe Sizer – The UpComing, UK