Before Night Falls (2000)

Before Night Falls (2000)

A richly imagined journey into the life of Cuban poet and novelist Reinaldo Arenas

7.2

Movie

Mexico, United States of America
English, Spanish
Drama
2000
JULIAN SCHNABEL
Alfredo Villa, Andrea Di Stefano, Diahnne Abbott
134 min

What it's about

Spanning several decades, this powerful biopic offers a glimpse into the life of famed Cuban poet and novelist Reinaldo Arenas, an artist who was vilified for his homosexuality in Fidel Castro's Cuba.

The take

This emotionally rich biopic spans Reinaldo Arena’s lifetime, from his childhood and early embrace of the Cuban Revolution to his deportation via the notorious 1980 Mariel boatlift, and subsequent death in the United States. The story of Arenas’ life is told through using his own words, over director Julian Schabel's beautifully crafted images. In his first-ever English-speaking role, Javier Bardem renders a strong dramatic performance for which he deservedly received wide acclaim. Before Night Falls is a finely crafted portrait of a creative yet self-destructive poet who has to face the clash between his identity and the political environment surrounding him.

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