Before Night Falls is a 2000 American biographical drama film directed by Julian Schnabel and starring Javier Bardem. It is based on the autobiography of the same name by Cuban writer Reinaldo Arenas. The film follows Arenas from his childhood in rural Cuba, his move to Havana, his emergence as a writer and his persecution and imprisonment by the Castro regime.
The film portrays the life of Reinaldo Arenas, an openly gay writer who suffered persecution and imprisonment in Castro's Cuba. It follows his tumultuous life from his childhood to his death in New York, highlighting his literary accomplishments, his struggles with the regime, and his personal relationships.
Arenas is played by Javier Bardem in a career-defining role, and the film received critical acclaim for both his performance and the direction of Schnabel. The film was nominated for several awards, including an Academy Award for Best Actor for Bardem.
Throughout the film, the audience witnesses Arenas' deep love for literature, his fearlessness, and his unwavering spirit in the face of political oppression. The film's title refers to Arenas' belief that life is like the flicker of a candle flame that can be snuffed out at any moment, and that we should make the most of our time on earth before night falls.
Overall, Before Night Falls is a moving and powerful biopic that sheds light on the life and struggles of an acclaimed writer who dared to be true to himself in a difficult time and place. The film is an ode to personal freedom, love, and the power of the human spirit in the face of adversity.