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Documentary

Eternal Spring (2022): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Eternal Spring (2022) movie poster

Eternal Spring is a 2022 documentary directed by Jason Loftus, starring Daxiong. It runs 1 hour 26 minutes and earned $2,462 worldwide. Critics gave it 79% on Rotten Tomatoes and 71 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.0/10.

IMDb rating
7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
79%
worldwide gross
$2.5K
Echo Score
82
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Eternal Spring (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 26m (86 min)
Director
Jason Loftus
Genre
Documentary
Original language
Chinese
Studio
ARTE
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Eternal Spring About?

The premise of Eternal Spring without spoilers.

In March 2002, a dramatic hijacking of China's state television station sets in motion a series of events that profoundly impact a comic book artist. Forced into exile, Daxiong confronts a lone survivor who questions his understanding of the incident. This documentary, released to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the hijacking, presents a compelling story of resilience and courage. It combines firsthand accounts of persecution with a determination to pursue freedom, even in the face of significant danger.

Eternal Spring Themes & Keywords

· 36 tags
  • social documentary
  • cgi animation
  • computer animation
  • 3d animation
  • city
  • police
  • year 2002
  • life
  • falun gong
  • falun dafa
  • chinese persecution
  • communist persecution
+24 more
  • television hacking
  • police raid
  • eyewitness
  • religious persecution
  • religious freedom
  • political freedom
  • hacking
  • chinese hacking
  • escape communism
  • chinese language
  • english subtitles
  • censorship
  • chinese censorship
  • communist censorship
  • political dissident
  • chinese dissidents
  • alternate viewpoint
  • academy award submission
  • canadian submission
  • canadian film
  • freedom of expression
  • 2000s
  • cg animation
  • truth
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Cast & crew

Eternal Spring Cast

Daxiong stars in Eternal Spring. Directed by Jason Loftus.

From the director

More from Jason Loftus

One more film directed by Jason Loftus: Ask No Questions.

Full filmography
Ratings

Eternal Spring Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Eternal Spring 79% on Rotten Tomatoes and 71 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 82/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in story & flow (68).

82 /100

Eternal Spring Echo Score Breakdown

Eternal Spring delivers a compelling blend of documentary testimony and vivid 3D animation that powerfully conveys the plight of Falun Gong practitioners. Critics applaud the artistic execution and emotional resonance, while noting occasional narrative brevity and concerns about propagandistic framing. User reactions emphasize the film's inspirational impact and emotional depth. The net impression is that the film succeeds most of its artistic and thematic goals despite minor storytelling drawbacks.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 78

    The visual craftsmanship is a central strength, with reviewers highlighting hyper‑detailed 3D animation and an understated color palette that evoke the original drawings. Critics acknowledge the vivid style and immersive scenes, though a few note limitations in the documentary’s overall visual consistency. Overall, the direction and production design are regarded as polished and effective in serving the film’s purpose.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    Emotional resonance drives the character dimension, as both critics and users describe the participants' bravery and heartfelt testimonies. The documentary’s interview segments create nuanced portrayals that move audiences deeply. No significant criticism of performance depth appears, leading to a strong consensus that the film succeeds in conveying human courage and suffering with nuance.

  • Story & Flow 68

    The narrative receives mixed feedback; critics praise the importance of the story but point to a brisk pacing that feels more suited to a short format and occasional propaganda overtones. Users, however, find the plot engaging and meaningful. This blend of praise and critique results in a moderate score reflecting both compelling content and structural shortcomings.

  • Sensory Experience 84

    Sensory elements are widely lauded, with vivid animation, immersive 3D reconstruction, and a poignant musical backdrop cited as highlights. Reviewers note the film’s ability to evoke atmosphere without resorting to manipulation, and users echo the impact of the visual and auditory experience. The sensory design is therefore viewed as a notable achievement.

  • Rewatch Factor 80

    The film’s lasting appeal is underscored by repeated emotional engagement and the desire of viewers to revisit its themes. While critics do not extensively discuss replay value, user commentary emphasizes inspiration, reflection, and a wish to share the documentary further. This consensus suggests a high rewatch factor despite minor narrative concerns.

Box office

Eternal Spring Box Office

Eternal Spring grossed $2,462 worldwide.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$2.5K

International
$2.5K
Videos

Eternal Spring Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Eternal Spring.

Official Trailer
Details

Eternal Spring Also Known As

7 alternative titles, including “Printemps éternel” and “Eternal Spring - Chine, le piratage d'une télévision”.

Also known as
  • Printemps éternel
  • Eternal Spring - Chine, le piratage d'une télévision
  • Chine, le piratage d'une télévision
  • 長春
  • 長春事件
  • 영원한 봄
  • Eternal Spring: The Heist of China's Airwaves

Seen Eternal Spring?

FAQ

Eternal Spring FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Eternal Spring, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Eternal Spring?

Eternal Spring runs 1 hour 26 minutes (86 minutes).

When was Eternal Spring released?

Eternal Spring was released on October 14, 2022.

Who directed Eternal Spring?

Eternal Spring was directed by Jason Loftus.

More films by Jason Loftus

Who is in the cast of Eternal Spring?

Eternal Spring stars Daxiong.

How much did Eternal Spring make at the box office?

Eternal Spring grossed $2,462 worldwide.

How is Eternal Spring rated?

Eternal Spring has 7.0/10 on IMDb, 79% on Rotten Tomatoes, 71 on Metacritic and 79% on TMDB.

Does Eternal Spring have a post-credit scene?

No. Eternal Spring has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Eternal Spring in?

The original language of Eternal Spring is Chinese.

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