One Child Nation

"The truth beyond the propaganda."

2019 1h 28m EN

👍

7.2

SOLID

★7.2TMDB · 176

Documentary

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Through interviews with both victims and instigators, Nanfu Wang, a first-time mother, breaks open decades of silence on a vast, unprecedented social experiment that shaped — and destroyed — countless lives in China.

“The truth beyond the propaganda.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Nanfu Wang
Self
Jiaoming Pang
Self
Brian Stuy
Self
Longlan Stuy
Self

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Nanfu Wang
Languages: Mandarin, French, English
Countries: France, Germany, United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

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Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

88 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

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Released 7 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 3 languages: Mandarin, French, English.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 3 countries: France, Germany, United States of America.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Nanfu Wang, shot by Nanfu Wang. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Chris Ruggiero. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Nanfu Wang shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Nanfu Wang directs. Nanfu Wang behind the camera. Chris Ruggiero scores. Nanfu Wang cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in France, Germany, United States of America. Dialogue in Mandarin, French, English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

188 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
2Released 7 years ago.
3Dialogue crosses 3 languages: Mandarin, French, English.
4International production across 3 countries: France, Germany, United States of America.
5Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
6Directed by Nanfu Wang, shot by Nanfu Wang. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
7Original score by Chris Ruggiero. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
8Editor Nanfu Wang shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
9Nanfu Wang and Jiaoming Pang and Brian Stuy carry the top of the cast.
10Marketing tagline: "The truth beyond the propaganda.".
11IMDB entry: tt8923482 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

The technical file

Cinematography: Nanfu Wang
Original score: Chris Ruggiero
Editing: Nanfu Wang
Runtime: 88 min · 1h 28m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Original language: EN
IMDB: One Child Nation (2019)

Awards

Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary

Individual records documented via Wikidata; the summary above may count more.

Also by

Nanfu Wang

Stills · wallpapers

Selected frames

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Wallpaper

Trailers & featurettes

Watch the pieces

Community reviews

What people are saying

SWITCH.2020-01-29
★ 9/10
As a personal journey, an investigative exposé, and a warning, 'One Child Nation' is an informative, affecting and important film that documents a dark chapter of Chinese history that shouldn't be forgotten. - Jake Watt Read Jake's full article... https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/article/review-one-child-nation-documenting-a-dark-chapter-in-chinas-history

Production companies