Eternal Spring

Name: Eternal Spring
Genre: Documentary
Released: October 14, 2022
Duration: 86 min
Rating: 71
Cast: Daxiong

2022

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 9 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 15 Ratings

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8.2	User Score Universal acclaim based on 15 Ratings

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Eternal Spring (US Trailer 1)

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Movie Details & Credits

ARTE | Release Date: October 14, 2022 | Not Rated

Starring: Daxiong

Summary: In March 2002, a state TV station in China was hijacked by members of outlawed spiritual group Falun Gong. Their goal was to counter the government narrative about their practice. In the aftermath, police raids sweep Changchun City, and comic book illustrator Daxiong, a Falun Gong practitioner, is forced to flee. He arrives in NorthIn March 2002, a state TV station in China was hijacked by members of outlawed spiritual group Falun Gong. Their goal was to counter the government narrative about their practice. In the aftermath, police raids sweep Changchun City, and comic book illustrator Daxiong, a Falun Gong practitioner, is forced to flee. He arrives in North America, blaming the hijacking for worsening a 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 retraces the event on its 20th anniversary, and brings to life an unprecedented story of defiance, harrowing eyewitness accounts of persecution, and an exhilarating tale of determination to speak up for political and religious freedoms, no matter the cost.… Expand

Director: Jason Loftus

Genre(s): Documentary

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 86 min

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Metascore

Positive:

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Critic Reviews

100

Amil Niazi

Nov 7, 2022

From the very first scenes of the Canadian documentary Eternal Spring, you’re thrust into a thrilling, all-consuming film that challenges traditional documentary tropes and finds a way to tell a winding, difficult story with brilliant ease. Read full review

The Guardian Cath Clarke

Nov 7, 2022

This is a painful, important film, made more urgent in light of China’s tightening of religious freedoms and human rights abuses against Uyghurs and other Muslims. Read full review

Tim Grierson

Nov 7, 2022

Featuring vivid animation inspired by Daxiong’s drawings, the film is somber and hushed, able to stir emotions without resorting to manipulative tricks. Read full review

Richard Whittaker

Oct 26, 2022

Gorgeously animated in 3D in Daxiong's signature, hyperdetailed/hyperstylized artwork, Eternal Spring is a chronicle of dissidence, and Daxiong's attempts to come to terms with how the movement got to this point of non-violent resistance - an act with which he disagreed because of the backlash. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Oct 24, 2022

Through Daxiong’s vivid and realistic drawings, rendered into mid-grade animation in assistance of a gripping story, we get to know not only persecuted Falun Gong survivors, but those who perished opposing the one-party dictatorship. Read full review

Liam Lacey

Sep 26, 2022

Though the emotional appeal of this story of resistance to brutal repression is genuinely moving, the documentary has limitations in both style and content. Read full review

IndieWire Jude Dry

Nov 7, 2022

The story of Eternal Spring deserves to be told — but Loftus’ film falls victim to the kind of insidious propaganda members of Falun Gong once tried to fight. Read full review

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User Reviews

moviesterpro

Dec 26, 2022

Everything is just heartbreaking, seeing how much the CCP hates a religious group is getting me frustrated, I did some research, more than 80% of all bad reviews on this movie are CCP hired dudes, I know because they tried that on me too.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Sanfu

Dec 26, 2022

This is one of the best movies I watched in recent years. I believe that art is not only for entertainment, but also, more importantly, for exploration of the truth of human nature, love, honor, pity, pride, dignity, freedom, and human conscience. What does freedom mean? Why must we humanThis is one of the best movies I watched in recent years. I believe that art is not only for entertainment, but also, more importantly, for exploration of the truth of human nature, love, honor, pity, pride, dignity, freedom, and human conscience. What does freedom mean? Why must we human beings respect each other? How to tell right from wrong? Why is Chinese Communist Party is the most heinous evil in human history? Watch the movie, and it may help you gain your answer, and know more clearly about your true self.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

StevenYu

Oct 20, 2022

Thanks for the beautiful scenes you movie makers build for Changchun, a crystal city in winter and a garden in summer 23 years ago. It helps recall ancient historic memories in my childhood,. And Mr. Liang did bring my tears down when he waved farewell each time to his dear daughter beforeThanks for the beautiful scenes you movie makers build for Changchun, a crystal city in winter and a garden in summer 23 years ago. It helps recall ancient historic memories in my childhood,. And Mr. Liang did bring my tears down when he waved farewell each time to his dear daughter before he went outside to disclose the truth, even if he knew well it might be the last time to say goodbye to her. Apparently he knew well, only when justice is performing, will his daughter have a safe life. He triggered a overwhelming surge with his peaceful smile to restore our compassionate world. They are defending the normal moral value for the beauty of world. If the CCP destroy our moral code, it will rule us as beasts. The world will be pointless.
Long live our heroes.
It was indeed a pandemonium in 1999. The spectors of the CCP demanded each one including pupils to say dirty words against Buddha Law and Falun Dafa that tells people to be true, good and endure. If anyone said no to the party, he would have no school, job, salary or life.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

helen8087

Oct 23, 2022

It's a film about courage and restore the truth. Around 20 years ago, a group of warriors, with their huge sacrifices, exposed the lies reported by Chinese state TV and let the people see the truth. Impressive feat... Really recommend!

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

IrenaGu

Dec 23, 2022

Touching my heart.

This persecution has lasted for more than twenty years and is still going on. It's interesting to see the CCP's spies attacking this good movie. This movie uses 3D to restore the scene at that time, which has an immersive feeling. Then the way of interview can betterTouching my heart.

This persecution has lasted for more than twenty years and is still going on.

It's interesting to see the CCP's spies attacking this good movie.

This movie uses 3D to restore the scene at that time, which has an immersive feeling.

Then the way of interview can better understand the mood of the parties involved.

It's a pity that the persecution is not over yet, so it can't be go to the field to take more video.

It is also because the persecution has not yet ended, and more things cannot be revealed.

Hope that in the near future, more truths will be revealed.
Hope the persecution will end soon!… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

purelotus

Dec 23, 2022

Words can't describe the strong emotions I felt after watching this remarkable film.

The courage and goodness of the main characters is incredible. The way it was recreated through animation in some parts, then combined with real life interviews kept the pace fast & engaging all the wayWords can't describe the strong emotions I felt after watching this remarkable film.

The courage and goodness of the main characters is incredible. The way it was recreated through animation in some parts, then combined with real life interviews kept the pace fast & engaging all the way through.

Sometimes retelling true stories can hard to show well in images. Usually I prefer to read books than watch films as I can then imagine for myself what it would look like. But this storytelling style was unique.

I couldn't fault it at all.

Thrilling action of courage & deeply touching!

They are the true heroes of modern China.

I hope more can watch it.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

SL2021

Dec 26, 2022

This is a fantastic movie that shows how brave a people could be when they have their true belief in mind. Even they faced the evilest government they had no afraid to broadcast the truth.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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