Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry

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Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry

R

Released Jul 27, 2012

1h 31m

Documentary

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Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

81 Reviews

87%

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5,000+ Ratings

Alison Klayman documents the life and work of Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei. She showcases his artistic process as he prepares for a museum exhibition, his relationships with family members and his clashes with the government.

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 3.5/5

Jan 22, 2013

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Tom Long

Detroit News

A fascinating portrait of a modern artist and activist trying to make a difference within China's repressive political system.

Rated: B

Sep 7, 2012

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Tara Brady

Irish Times

This essential, finely honed biographical portrait is jollied along by all the ironies and complexities of modern China.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 10, 2012

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David Bax

Battleship Pretension

Never Sorry doesn't aim to spur you into action by stoking your righteous indignation. Instead, it uses its charming, cool-kid rebel subject to make getting involved seem enticing.

Mar 10, 2021

Full Review

Jim Ross

TAKE ONE Magazine

If you are not in the slightest bit moved by it, then perhaps political and artistic apathy has sadly taken hold.

Feb 13, 2020

Full Review

Brian D. Johnson

Maclean's Magazine

Every art documentary has to look beyond the bubble of the artist. Ai Weiwei towers above the others, not just because of the artist's brilliant work...but because he keeps pushing art beyond its boundaries, out into the world.

Jul 31, 2019

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Audience Member

Great movie. Don't know how he stays alive.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

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Audience Member

Just saw it today. It changed my previous perception of Ai Weiwei. This is a marvelous documentary. Very meaningful. A must see for everybody.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Documentary following Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei. He is - at least was - one of the most powerful artists in the world. There's some older story but mostly we follow him in the present as he prepares some exhibitions and deal with government clashes. An important and strong man that never bow down. He tries to make China a better place and while he is loved by many he is also hated by the authorities - not a great deal in China. It's an all right look. I never knew much about the guy but this is insightful. He is not THAT special - just very honest and brave. Some subtitle problems ruined a bit the first 30 minutes or so, but I could often hang on quite well. It's nearly 10 years old now so it's not as relevant as it was and I never found it especially interesting. He seem like an amazing person and I like that part better than most of his art. 5 out of 10 tweets.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

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Audience Member

Incredibly inspiring.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

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Audience Member

While it's not the best documentary I've seen, and not really as creative as a film about Ai WeiWei deserves to be, the story it tells is fascinating, it was well-edited, and invites various levels of analysis - from looking at his artwork, to his infidelity, and most importantly the state of China's authority and censorship against artists and activists.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

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Audience Member

inspiring artist and activist

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

Full Review

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Alison Klayman

Director

Dan-qing Chen

Self

Weiwei Ai

Self

Dan Ai

Self

Lao Ai

Self

Lee Ambrozy

Self

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Synopsis

Alison Klayman documents the life and work of Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei. She showcases his artistic process as he prepares for a museum exhibition, his relationships with family members and his clashes with the government.

Director: Alison Klayman
Producer: Adam Schlesinger, Alison Klayman
Screenwriter: Alison Klayman
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: Expressions United Media
Rating: R (Some Language)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 27, 2012, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 8, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $485.5K
Runtime: 1h 31m

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