Eternal Spring

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2:20

Eternal Spring

Released Oct 14, 2022

1h 26m

Documentary

Animation

History

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

79%

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33 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

In March 2002, a state TV signal in China gets hacked by members of the banned spiritual group Falun Gong. Their goal is to counter the government narrative about their practice. In the aftermath, police raids sweep Changchun City, and comic book illustrator Daxiong (Justice League, Star Wars), a Falun Gong practitioner, is forced to flee. He arrives in North America, blaming the hijacking for worsening an already violent repression. But his views are challenged when he meets the lone surviving participant to have escaped China, now living in Seoul, South Korea. Combining present-day footage with 3D animation inspired by Daxiong's art, Eternal Spring (長春) retraces the event on its 20th anniversary, and brings to life an unprecedented story of defiance told through harrowing eyewitness accounts of persecution and incredible artistry. Eternal Spring is an exhilarating tale of determination to speak up for political and religious freedoms, no matter the cost.

Critics Consensus

More impressive in form than function, Eternal Spring offers a periodically gripping mixed-media account of a pivotal moment in modern Chinese history.

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Audience Says

From the way it's put together to the heartbreaking subject matter, Eternal Spring is a documentary that leaves a big impression.

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David Stratton

The Australian

Part documentary, part animated feature, this quite powerful film, written and directed by Jason Loftus, is an insider’s account of the persecution of the spiritual group Falun Gong by the Chinese authorities.

Rated: 3.5/5

Dec 17, 2022

Full Review

Jessica Kiang

Variety

Within the narrower confines of one talented artist’s reckoning with his birth nation’s painful recent history, however, it remains a stirring piece of work...

Nov 30, 2022

Full Review

Richard Whittaker

Austin Chronicle

I's a chronicle of what it means to be on the receiving end of real oppression, wrapped up in a crime procedural... a film that demands to be seen.

Rated: 3.5/5

Oct 27, 2022

Full Review

Jericho Tadeo

MovieWeb

Eternal Spring succeeds as history made tangible, shareable, and, of utmost importance here, personal.

Jul 12, 2024

Full Review

William Schwartz

Book & Film Globe

There’s no way to sugarcoat this. Eternal Spring is a Falun Gong propaganda film.

Mar 11, 2023

Full Review

Jason Gorber

That Shelf

Twenty years on, Loftus retraces events through the harrowing story of Falun Gong member and comic book illustrator Daxiong (Justice League, Star Wars), using eye-catching 3D animation inspired by his work. Tune into Chief Critic, Jason Gorber's review:

Feb 18, 2023

Full Review

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Mary

I watched this film over a month ago, but its visceral message and dream-like animation still pops up in my memory without fail a few times a week. My usual film preference leans towards rom-com and 50s-90s classics, so this film was entirely out of my comfort zone but it's now one of my favorite movie experiences. Within 86 minutes, I was laughing out loud, celebrating, heartbroken, wrought with suspense, cheering with joy, and everything in between. Highly, highly recommend to anyone who wants to know what true heroism looks like. Marvel has a special place in my heart (and we don't talk about DC...) but Eternal Spring— THIS is a TRUE story of REAL people who sacrificed EVERYTHING to save the world from propaganda. They're not just characters from our imaginations, 2D figures we idolize and wish they were real. The Six are so admirable, I have no words to express the respect I have for them. I wouldn't have had the limitless courage they did, which really made me reflect on myself and who I am as a person. Thank you for making this movie. I look forward to seeing Eternal Spring make it to the Oscar's!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/08/22

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Jonathan F

Riveting and moving! The skillful animations and beautiful scenes work well to tell the heartbreaking story of millions of people in China. The movie will touch your soul.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/30/22

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Laura

Eternal Spring is yourselfshe showed all of humanity when I saw the little boy play on the street during holiday, I believe that was true chinese culture, my tear came up, moved deeply whole story, anywhere you will be moved, yes here or there or, and there I really hope they could have passports, so they could live, they could get freedom, on that moment How do you think the hero means? The Daxiong said: (jing zhong bao guorepay the country with supreme loyalty)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/28/22

Full Review

Tigers' Mom

My daughter and I watched the film at Laemmle Royal last weekend. We were amazed by the drawings of Daxiong. The traditional Chinese style of art was so beautiful on the big screen! The story was really touching because it reflected the weakness of everyday people like you and me, but they chose to step out and do the right thing even though the sacrifice was huge. It is a heavy topic but the whole film was full of hope. I would like to watch it again because there were so many details that I did not catch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/22/22

Full Review

JW

Excellent movie, tells the real struggle that’s happening in China still today. The anime character are so artistic and story is so touching. Must see for anyone wants to understand the real China.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/20/22

Full Review

Susan

I enjoyed joining to see Eternal Spring. I thought it was an eye opener of what had occurred in China. The movie was very well done and told the story well. I have recommended other people to also attend.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/18/22

Full Review

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Jason Loftus

Director

Daxiong

Self

Daxiong

The Artist

Henry Guo

Jin Xuezhe "Mr. White"

Shi Jian

Liang

Ben Li

Big Truck

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Eternal Spring: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In March 2002, a state TV signal in China gets hacked by members of the banned spiritual group Falun Gong. Their goal is to counter the government narrative about their practice. In the aftermath, police raids sweep Changchun City, and comic book illustrator Daxiong (Justice League, Star Wars), a Falun Gong practitioner, is forced to flee. He arrives in North America, blaming the hijacking for worsening an already violent repression. But his views are challenged when he meets the lone surviving participant to have escaped China, now living in Seoul, South Korea. Combining present-day footage with 3D animation inspired by Daxiong's art, Eternal Spring (長春) retraces the event on its 20th anniversary, and brings to life an unprecedented story of defiance told through harrowing eyewitness accounts of persecution and incredible artistry. Eternal Spring is an exhilarating tale of determination to speak up for political and religious freedoms, no matter the cost.

Director: Jason Loftus
Producer: Jason Loftus, Yvan Pinard, Kevin Koo
Screenwriter: Jason Loftus, Jason Loftus
Distributor: Lofty Sky Pictures
Genre: Documentary, Animation, History
Original Language: Chinese
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 14, 2022, Limited
Runtime: 1h 26m

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