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Ai Weiwei's Turandot

Play trailer Poster for Ai Weiwei's Turandot 2025 1h 15m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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AI WEIWEI'S TURANDOT, a feature documentary, follows Chinese revolutionary artist, Ai Weiwei, as he brings his artistic vision and iconoclastic activism to Puccini's Turandot at the Rome Opera House during his operatic directorial debut, using the opera as a backdrop to address many issues that plague mankind including the Ukraine war, refugee crises, the Covid pandemic, and more. One hundred years later, the film shows not only that Puccini's opera is still as vital and relevant as ever, but also according to esteemed choreographer, Chiang Ching -- his lifelong friend featured in the film, it is also a reflection of Ai Weiwei's life, and a fitting project for an artist known for his installations, sculpture and photography that denounce authority and champion human rights and freedom of expression.

Critics Reviews

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Louis Skye (Ronita Roy Mohan) FlickSided Whether or not you have any interest in the opera or in Weiwei’s activism and artistry, you need Ai Weiwei’s Turandot to remind you to be loud, make art, and be political. Because art is politics, and art is necessary. Jul 17, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Cast & Crew

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Maxim Derevianko

Director

Ai Weiwei

Self

Maxim Derevianko

Screenwriter

Michele Cogo

Screenwriter

Marta Zaccaron

Producer

Christine La Monte

Producer
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Ai Weiwei's Turandot

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Movie Info

Synopsis AI WEIWEI'S TURANDOT, a feature documentary, follows Chinese revolutionary artist, Ai Weiwei, as he brings his artistic vision and iconoclastic activism to Puccini's Turandot at the Rome Opera House during his operatic directorial debut, using the opera as a backdrop to address many issues that plague mankind including the Ukraine war, refugee crises, the Covid pandemic, and more. One hundred years later, the film shows not only that Puccini's opera is still as vital and relevant as ever, but also according to esteemed choreographer, Chiang Ching -- his lifelong friend featured in the film, it is also a reflection of Ai Weiwei's life, and a fitting project for an artist known for his installations, sculpture and photography that denounce authority and champion human rights and freedom of expression.
Director
Maxim Derevianko
Producer
Marta Zaccaron, Christine La Monte, Andy Cohen
Screenwriter
Maxim Derevianko, Michele Cogo
Production Co
Incipit Film, La Monte Productions, Goyaves
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
Italian
Runtime
1h 15m