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One Child Nation

Play trailer 2:25 Poster for One Child Nation R 2019 1h 25m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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98% Tomatometer 102 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
After becoming a mother, a filmmaker uncovers the untold history of China's one-child policy and the generations of parents and children forever shaped by this social experiment.
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One Child Nation

One Child Nation

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Critics Consensus

As illuminating as it is accessible, One Child Nation probes a painful chapter in Chinese history with piercing clarity.

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Critics Reviews

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Brad Newsome Sydney Morning Herald 12/18/2019
Grand atrocities pile atop private heartbreak as this powerful film unfolds. Go to Full Review
David Fear Rolling Stone 12/18/2019
4/5
What eventually emerges is a peerless portrait of collective trauma - a devastating look at how this law not only sociologically gutted a country but made everyone complicit in the crime. Go to Full Review
Peter Bradshaw Guardian 09/25/2019
4/5
[A] powerful documentary... Go to Full Review
Bianca Garner Filmotomy 10/04/2024
Certainly a very powerful documentary, One Child Nation is one that I strongly urge people to seek out. Go to Full Review
Diego Batlle Otroscines.com 10/27/2021
4/5
Describes the scope, excesses, abuses and effects of the "one child policy" with force and sensitivity. [Full Review in Spanish] Go to Full Review
Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com 09/18/2020
3.5/4.0
A difficult to see 'must see' documentary. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Shanez B Apr 22 “One Child Nation” is an extremely powerful documentary directed by Nanfu Wang and Jialing Zhang, screened in 2019. It focuses on the One Child Policy (1979-2015) and its effects after it ended. In the documentary, there are many interviews, including former village chiefs, artists, midwives, ex-human traffickers, state officials, researchers, journalists, and, most importantly, the victims of the policy themselves. This documentary really gives viewers a “360 of the policy,” which Nanfu even states was her goal during an interview. In the film, Nanfu also unsuccessfully attempts to locate her cousin, showing how deeply the policy tore families apart. One of the most surprising parts of the documentary is how the One Child Policy is still accepted by some people in China, along with a shared belief that there was no other choice. This documentary is eye-opening and illuminating—it could completely shift your perspective on the policy. At the same time, it can be hard to watch and even disgusting. No matter how much you know about the One Child Policy, this documentary brings something new. Through showing unique perspectives, Nanfu is able to tell the full story of the One Child Policy and lets the viewer make their own conclusion. I didn’t expect to see people in China still supporting the policy, and hearing everyday citizens explain why really made me think. The vivid stories are terrifying to hear. One of the most powerful was Shuang Jie Zeng’s. Her story is portrayed so well. Through old photos and the firsthand account from Shuang Jie and her family, viewers get to see how deeply their lives were affected. Shuang Jie’s twin was taken to an orphanage as a baby, and they’ve been separated ever since. Another disturbing moment that really captured the harsh reality of the policy was when Nanfu visited a local village in China and met with the village chief. She asked to speak to some older women who had lived through the policy. When she did, the women got mad and started yelling. That moment really showed the emotional weight and long-lasting impact the policy had on women. In conclusion, “One Child Nation” tells the story of the One Child Policy in a powerful and emotional way. By sharing personal stories and real-life reactions, this documentary reveals the full scope, abuses, and lasting consequences of the policy. See more Katy W 12/03/2024 achava que sabia tudo sobre essa lei e afinal tinha coisa pior por de trás See more Mani G 10/28/2024 The documentary primarily deals with how One Child Policy affected people of China at that time. Two types of people are to be seen who thought that the policy is against morals and people of China and others who believe that it was important for the growth of the country. But one thing is sure, government had implemented it very strictly and people felt like they had no choice. I would have loved to see more stories of people who could meet their lost or abandoned children. This documentary is definitely worth the watch. See more Bahad j 08/01/2024 In my opinion, the movie uses very good camera and audio visual equipment and the crew members and the filmmakers have played their roles very well. I really liked it. See more Geke g 07/28/2024 This is why documentaries keep developing in film industry. Always pulling fresh air in the business. Enjoy for everyone See more Munkhchimeg T 07/27/2024 How sad is this truth? I wish everyone watch it and catch some unique new feeling See more Read all reviews
One Child Nation

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Movie Info

Synopsis After becoming a mother, a filmmaker uncovers the untold history of China's one-child policy and the generations of parents and children forever shaped by this social experiment.
Director
Nanfu Wang, Jialing Zhang
Producer
Christopher Clements, Julie Goldman, Carolyn Hepburn, Christoph Jörg
Distributor
Amazon Studios
Production Co
ITVS, Motto Pictures, Next Generation, Pumpernickel Films
Rating
R (Brief Language|Some Disturbing Content/Images)
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 9, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 8, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA)
$151.7K
Runtime
1h 25m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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