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Before Night Falls (2000)

15 133 min  -  Biography | Drama  -   26 January 2001 (USA)
7.2
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Ratings: 7.2/10 from 13,735 users   Metascore: 85/100 
Reviews: 127 user | 95 critic | 26 from Metacritic.com

Episodic look at the life of Cuban poet and novelist, Reinaldo Arenas (1943-1990), from his childhood in Oriente province to his death in New York City... See full summary »

Director:

Julian Schnabel
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Nominated for Oscar. Another 13 wins & 15 nominations See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Olatz López Garmendia Olatz López Garmendia ...
Reinaldo's Mother (as Olatz Lopez Garmendia)
Giovanni Florido Giovanni Florido ...
Young Reinaldo (as Giovani Florido)
Loló Navarro Loló Navarro ...
Reinaldo's Grandmother
Sebastián Silva Sebastián Silva ...
Reinaldo's Father
Carmen Beato Carmen Beato ...
Teacher
Cy Schnabel Cy Schnabel ...
Olmo Schnabel Olmo Schnabel ...
Vito Maria Schnabel Vito Maria Schnabel ...
Pedro Armendáriz Jr. ...
Reinaldo's Grandfather (as Pedro Armendáriz)
Diego Luna ...
Carlos
Lia Chapman ...
Lolin
Sean Penn ...
Jerzy Skolimowski ...
Professor
Aquiles Benites Aquiles Benites ...
Translator
Ewa Piaskowska Ewa Piaskowska ...
Pretty Blonde Student
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Storyline

Episodic look at the life of Cuban poet and novelist, Reinaldo Arenas (1943-1990), from his childhood in Oriente province to his death in New York City. He joins Castro's rebels. By 1964, he is in Havana. He meets the wealthy Pepe, an early lover; a love-hate relationship lasts for years. Openly gay behavior is a way to spite the government. His writing and homosexuality get him into trouble: he spends two years in prison, writing letters for other inmates and smuggling out a novel. He befriends Lázaro Gomes Garriles, with whom he lives stateless and in poverty in Manhattan after leaving Cuba in the Mariel boat-lift. When asked why he writes, he replies cheerfully, "Revenge." Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>  

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Cuban | Gay | Poet | Writer | Novelist  | See more »

Genres:

Biography | Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexual content, some language and brief violence See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Official Sites:

New Line | Add/edit official sites  »

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish | Russian | French

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Antes que anochezca See more »

Filming Locations:

New York, USA See more »

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$85,230 (USA) (25 December 2000) (8 Screens)

Gross:

$4,221,817 (USA) (15 April 2001)
See more »

Company Credits

Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

 | South Korea:

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The director's wife plays Javier Bardem's mother. All of Schnabel's children have bit roles as well. See more »

Quotes

Reinaldo Arenas: My name, for the moment, is Reinaldo Arenas.
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Connections

Referenced in "Maltin on Movies: Awards Special 2011 (#1.25)" (2011) See more »

Soundtracks

"Kamata Mariyam"
Traditional
Performed by Fairuz
Published by Voix De L'Orient / A. Chahine & Fils
Courtesy of Voix De L'Orient / A. Chahine & Fils See more »