Night is Not Eternal

A personal exploration of political activism through the eyes of Chinese-American filmmaker Nanfu Wang. Over seven years, Nanfu followed activist Rosa María Payá in her fight for a democratic Cuba. Interwoven with Payá’s narrative are Nanfu’s reflections on her Chinese upbringing and observations of eroding democracy in the US.  

Nanfu Wang and Rosa María Payá met at a film festival during a screening of Nanfu’s Hooligan Sparrow about Chinese activist Ye Hayan. Payá told Nanfu how much the film reminded her of Cuba. A bond developed, and over the course of seven years Nanfu followed Payá from the streets of Havana to conferences and rallies worldwide, documenting the transformation from a grassroots activist into an international public figure.

Rosa’s father Oswaldo Payá was a prominent pro-democracy advocate. His motto: ‘The night will not be eternal.’ He was killed at the hands of the regime. In spite of the danger, Rosa continues her father’s work. Harassment and surveillance are part of her daily diet, but she’s determined to carry on: ‘If we stop, they’ve already won.’ This dual portrait of two women, who also experience some mutual tension, emphasizes the human desire for freedom and the resilience of those who fight for it. It also serves as a reminder of the fragility of democracy and the need for vigilance in protecting it.