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Before Night Falls

2000 · Movie · R · 134 min · ★ 6.6 · 80% critics

Drama

Spanning decades, this biographical drama follows a Cuban writer and poet as he finds his voice during the revolution, then faces increasing persecution for his work and sexuality under an oppressive regime. As pressure mounts, he fights to keep creating, endure imprisonment, and pursue a chance at freedom beyond his homeland.

Based on Before Night Falls

Also known as Avant que tombe la nuit

IMDb

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2 hours to watch.

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Details
Years
2000
Release date
2000-09-03
Language
English
Rated
R
Runtime
134 min
Critic score
80/100
TMDB rating
6.6/10 (306 votes)
About

If you like intense, character-driven biopics about identity and repression, this may land hard, especially if Kinsey or Wilde worked for you; Not for you if you want a fast pace or lighter subject matter.

Pros: powerful lead performance; gripping prison sequences; strong freedom themes | Cons: slow, uneven pacing; confusing narrative at times; language choices distract

Themes

  • new york city
  • suicide
  • aids
  • cuba
  • totalitarian regime
  • artist
  • hot air balloon
  • attempt to escape
  • exile
  • biography
  • fidel castro
  • cuban revolution
  • +4 more

Awards & recognition

  • Grand Jury Prize of the Venice Film Festival · 2000
  • National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
  • Academy Award — Best Actor · 2001 · nominated

Cast & crew

Directed by Julian Schnabel