Ai Weiwei's Turandot

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Ai Weiwei's Turandot

2025

1h 15m

Documentary

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4 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

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.

Glenn Dunks

reDocumented

Mar 8

It acts as a nice artefact for those of us who would never have the opportunity to see such a production. I would have liked to have seen more of its final form, especially since the movie’s opening sequence... was a breathtaking way to begin.

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John Stark

Mac the Movie Guy

Nov 8

68/100

For an artist as groundbreaking as Ai Weiwei, the overplayed Nessun Dorma seems to clash with the desire to be original, but the film itself is still a fine glance at an artist unafraid to push the limits.

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Bradley Gibson

Film Threat

Oct 7

8/10

Even if you are not a fan of opera, AI WEIWEI’S TURANDOT will keep your attention in an entertaining way and illuminate revolutionary impulses in art that you may not have been aware of.

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Louis Skye (Ronita Roy Mohan)

FlickSided

07/17/2025

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.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Sep 29

Real footage in 1.25 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dubbed and subtitled in worldwide studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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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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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, Julian Lennon
Screenwriter: Maxim Derevianko, Michele Cogo
Distributor: Incipit Film
Production Co: Incipit Film, La Monte Productions, Goyaves
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: Italian
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 26, 2025, Limited
Runtime: 1h 15m

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