‘Night Is Not Eternal’ Review: Nanfu Wang Keenly Observes the Fight for Freedom in Cuba at a Crucial Moment

As a seasoned movie-goer who’s traversed the cinematic landscapes of various cultures and ideologies, I find myself captivated by Nanfu Wang’s unique storytelling approach in “Night Is Not Eternal.” Her ability to weave her personal experiences into the broader narrative of societal issues creates a powerful, relatable bond with the audience.

Unlike many nonfiction filmmakers who keep themselves out of their work’s narrative, Nanfu Wang has built her career by doing just the opposite. In each of her films, she intertwines her personal experiences with the subject matter to provide a relatable context for broader themes. Her latest production, “Night Is Not Eternal,” follows this unique approach for an intimate double portrayal of two women, including Wang herself, who share similar struggles.

As I sit down to share my thoughts on Wang’s latest documentary, it’s clear that her personal touch permeates every frame. She weaves together clips from several of her films, including her groundbreaking 2016 debut “Hooligan Sparrow,” which delves into the fight for justice in a case of sexual abuse against young schoolgirls. This powerful imagery of ordinary people standing up against injustice echoes universally. With each new project, Wang strengthens the impression that her work is not just a collection of standalone stories, but rather a continuous narrative. It’s a testament to both the sociopolitical issues she captures and how deeply these matters have touched her own life.

Wang met Rosa María Payá, a Cuban activist, during a film festival where they both screened their respective works. Their shared experiences of living under authoritarian regimes in China and Cuba sparked a connection. Memories from Wang’s childhood growing up in socialist China, where her films are prohibited, mirrored Payá’s daily struggles with harassment and surveillance. Inspired by this parallel, Wang decided to document Payá’s quest for change in Cuba. She split her time between Havana and Miami, capturing both Payá’s groundwork and her personal journey on camera.

For quite some time, Wang trailed Payá throughout the U.S. and various other nations as her growing influence among Cuban expatriates transformed her into a significant political figure. The documentary’s title is derived from a book authored by Oswaldo Payá, a respected activist who advocated for Cuba’s self-rule without U.S. involvement. This phrase symbolizes the undying hope of the Cuban populace that their long-term suffering under Fidel Castro (and his successors) will eventually come to an end, as darkness inevitably gives way to light. Tragically, his relentless pursuit of democracy resulted in his death at the hands of the regime in 2012, which compelled his children, including Rosa María, into exile.

In Cuba, Payá’s diplomatic demeanor took over, making her seem less accessible compared to the earlier footage. A subtle barrier seemed to form between her and Wand. However, it was when Wand captured Payá dancing following a long day of conferences and meetings that her genuine idealism briefly resurfaced. Wang portrays this scene with a hazy, slow-motion effect, as if trying to extract every bit of raw emotion from this fleeting moment of spontaneous joy in Payá — a rare instance where she appeared completely detached from her relentless mission. These visual interludes, combined with editor Michael Shade’s work, give the film a dynamic feel.

About two-thirds into the insightful documentary “Night Is Not Eternal,” an unexpected shift arises that strains the relationship between Wang and Payá. This development stems from the documentary’s exploration of Payá’s association with conservative political views held by many Cuban exiles in the U.S., a connection exemplified by a scene from a Donald Trump rally where Payá is present. In what seems like an attempt to maintain a friendly dialogue, Wang does not directly question Payá about her support for a figure known for promoting American prejudice and extremism on camera. Instead, Wang shares, through voiceover, insights from private conversations that reveal Payá’s complex feelings towards the former president. The fact that she appears to embrace such a harmful figure in the hope of achieving her goals and maintaining favor among the exiles, which echoes the “the end justifies the means” philosophy, leaves Wang troubled. She wonders why individuals who escape dictatorships would find themselves drawn towards someone like Trump, who shares some characteristics with their former oppressors.

Despite the significant protests by Cubans at home where their lives could be at risk, Payá continues to refrain from criticizing the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba, a stance contrasting with her father’s vocal opposition. He argued that these sanctions have had minimal impact on weakening the Castro regime’s grip on the island and instead have hurt the population more than the regime itself. The ambiguity in Payá’s responses to certain questions suggests a shift in her views, not just in terms of her appearance and behavior, but also in her conflicting political stance. She advocates for global backing for the Cuban cause while aligning herself with an administration that is known for its harsh treatment of immigrants and other marginalized groups.

Although Wang doesn’t directly address the idea of Cuban exceptionalism among expats versus those from Latin America and beyond, her images powerfully convey this striking contradiction. Video footage of a rally for Cuba’s freedom in Florida depicts the Cuban flag flying alongside a MAGA (Make America Great Again) one, symbolizing this unsettling disunity.

Wang doesn’t directly compare the treatment of Cuban demonstrators to the U.S. government’s use of force during the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 (she uses footage from Tiananmen Square instead). However, it’s clear that both situations reflect similar instances of violence. Although “Night Is Not Eternal” lacks intense, direct confrontations with Payá, it does show that the path to change is complex, treacherous, and far from perfect.

“Night Is Not Eternal” is now streaming on Max and HBO.

2024-11-20 00:47

‘Night Is Not Eternal’ Review: Nanfu Wang Keenly Observes the Fight for Freedom in Cuba at a Crucial Moment

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