Night Is Not Eternal

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Night Is Not Eternal

Released Nov 19, 2024

1h 32m

Documentary

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8 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

NIGHT IS NOT ETERNAL is a deeply personal exploration of political activism through the eyes of Chinese American filmmaker Nanfu Wang. For over seven years, Nanfu follows Rosa María Payá, a young Cuban activist and daughter of five-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee Oswaldo Payá, in her fight for democratic change in Cuba. Driven by her own experiences in China, Nanfu is drawn to Rosa's story and the parallels between their homelands. With intimate access, Nanfu follows Rosa's journey from the streets of Havana to rallies and conferences worldwide, capturing her transformation from a grassroots activist to an international public figure, and documenting the challenges faced by activists resisting authoritarian regimes.

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Alissa Wilkinson

New York Times

“Night Is Not Eternal” blooms into something unexpected: an exploration of the ways that immigrants from countries where authoritarian rule is the norm interact with American politics, often in ways that baffle pundits.

Dec 9, 2024

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Lovia Gyarkye

The Hollywood Reporter

Wang models an urgent and necessary type of critical thinking. Her questions become one of the most striking elements of this project, which takes a surprising turn.

Nov 26, 2024

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Marya E. Gates

RogerEbert.com

A striking look at the sacrifices and concessions people make in the fight for freedom and how propaganda can make it seem impossible to win.

Rated: 3.5/4

Nov 21, 2024

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Stephen Silver

The SS Ben Hecht

Fine documentary rendering of the sort of split that's far from uncommon these days.

Jan 3, 2025

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Manuel Betancourt

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

As a portrait of activism and resistance, it's fascinating.

Dec 5, 2024

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Jared Mobarak

Jaredmobarak.com

Night Is Not Eternal proves a fascinating look at the troubles and struggles we all face in a flattening world ruled by opportunists of greed rather than stewards of protection.

Rated: 8/10

Nov 21, 2024

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John S

I recently saw Nanfu Wang’s latest documentary, Night Is Not Eternal on HBOMax. . While I disagree with the Chinese-born film maker’s view of communism in her film, found she got some things wrong, nevertheless overall it is a powerful, important, but flawed work that explores totalitarianism in both China and Cuba. It is a must see.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/19/24

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Ryan H

In Night is Not Eternal, Nanfu Wang flees communism eager for American freedom, only to grow jaded by democracy’s flaws. She critiques a young Cuban liberationist—whose father was killed by the communist regime—while questioning how anyone could feel oppressed by communism. This willful blindness to the woman’s sacrifice reveals Wang’s contradictions: romantic about the system she escaped, critical of the freedom she sought, and unwilling to see beyond her own narrative.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

11/26/24

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Movie s

Night Is Not Eternal is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that delves into the complexities of activism, freedom, and political compromise. Nanfu Wang masterfully blends personal and global perspectives, offering a deeply resonant exploration of resilience against oppression.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/20/24

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Nanfu Wang

Director

Nanfu Wang

Self

Rosa María Payá

Self

Lia Villares

Self

Ofelia Acevedo

Self

Sayli Navarro Alvarez

Self

Night Is Not Eternal: Trailer

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Synopsis

NIGHT IS NOT ETERNAL is a deeply personal exploration of political activism through the eyes of Chinese American filmmaker Nanfu Wang. For over seven years, Nanfu follows Rosa María Payá, a young Cuban activist and daughter of five-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee Oswaldo Payá, in her fight for democratic change in Cuba. Driven by her own experiences in China, Nanfu is drawn to Rosa's story and the parallels between their homelands. With intimate access, Nanfu follows Rosa's journey from the streets of Havana to rallies and conferences worldwide, capturing her transformation from a grassroots activist to an international public figure, and documenting the challenges faced by activists resisting authoritarian regimes.

Director: Nanfu Wang
Producer: Nanfu Wang, Lori Cheatle
Distributor: Max
Production Co: HBO Documentary Films
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 19, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 19, 2024
Runtime: 1h 32m

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