Don't Let the Night End (2019) Poster

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8/10
Beautiful storyline
debijohess22 August 2019
If you like meditative and realistic stories, this one is for you! I found it quite engaging and relatable as we all have lost some dreams and had to take a new course in life. Galia Barkol has crafted a masterful story and plays the lead beautifully. This film is studio quality, very professionally done with outstanding performances from all the actors. Watch and like!
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8/10
Contemplative and sensitive
frankdistefano3 July 2019
A leisurely, contemplative and sensitive study of a woman who is not sure of what she wants in her life, thinking back to what she had and what the future might be, meanwhile settling for something unfulfilling.
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7/10
Interesting character study.
kraine98-89-6883125 August 2019
This film has rich characters, an interesting story line, and is filmed beautifully. The lead actress takes us on a journey that makes us want to know more about her. A well done Indie film.
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9/10
Real yet wonderfully charming
directortim201221 August 2019
A story that feels real but still radiates charm is a rare and welcome combination. This is a really well done film. Beautifully shot, intelligent, naturalistic, wonderfully acted. It's unhurried and very relatable. Especially for anyone who has gone through a challenging life transition... meaning of course, all of us. I strongly recommend this movie!
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Lyrical and moving
Phil_Chester23 August 2019
Running at a pensive pace, which gives the story time to breathe and land with its full weight, this lyrical and moving study of a woman trying to find her life's meaning and purpose has much resonance for today's audience. Your heart breaks for her when she makes her decision and you can see that she could have chosen better for herself. Definitely worth a look.
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2/10
No way to get me invested in the character.
M85ALIVE5 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I fail to understand such positive reviews. I was hoping to experience not only how and why dancing means so much to her but also experience the painful event of her never being able to dance again, that would of REALLY got me on board, I got about 20 mins in, is scrolled across the timeline so it shows the small window of all the scenes for the rest of the film, and no dancing events at all, show don't tell is apt in this case...or the Chinese proverb: "What I hear I forget...what I see I remember...what I do I understand"

After learning this I gave up on the film unfortunately, there was nothing in those 20 mins to really get me invested, bear in mind the film is only 1hr9mins, sorry, what a let down.
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10/10
Confronting Our Deepest Fear
TheAll-SeeingI21 August 2019
Galia Barkol is the director and screenwriter of the wonderfully aching "Don't Let The Night End." Appropriately, she also plays the film's female lead, and does so with the same deft nuance and sensitivity with which she's crafted its story. From its onset and throughout, this is a film that feels like it's coming from a deeply personal space, with a struggling main character that perhaps only Barkol was inherently qualified to take on and own at this heightened level of accomplishment.

"Don't Let The Night End" is truly ambitious in its design and almost monumental in both its grace and in its ultimately successful execution, as it reenforces what for many of us is our greatest fear becoming our starkest reality: Sometimes the dream we've dreamed for ourselves simply doesn't come true. There isn't a more jarringly honest, intimate, and intimidating theme available to any of our storytelling vehicles, yet it's a topic that's so few filmmakers are brave enough to ask their audiences to emotionally confront.

Fluidly shot and accompanied by an engrossing soundscape, "Don't Let The Night End" deals far more with routine in its pained search for life's next steps than it does with constantly changing events or alterations in pacing. Be prepared to feel a palpable sense of your own personal unrest, as what else - once the dream is dashed - could life possibly hold for us? This is a mesmerizing effort by its creator, and a haunting meditation on the sense of self we all must find a way to make peace with.
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5/10
Nothing much happens....
reneehoffinger3 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Very disappointing. The beauty of most stories is character transformation. Here we have a floundering, depressed protagonist, who, if anything, by the end of the story, ends up in a worse way . It could've been a 'slice of life' kind of movie but Mia is an uninteresting, nebbishy character. In addition, the acting is unimpressive, the dialogue stilted, the plot is unrealistic (what woman in her right mind would go out and walk the streets of NYC in the wee hours? Why would this guy give a total stranger access to his apartment and not mind her taking the liberty of moving in?), and we never even get to see the cat!
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9/10
A story with heart
vigilant5623 August 2019
I really enjoyed Don't Let the Night End! Many of us can identify with the trials and tribulations of the star of the film Mia. I enjoyed following Mia as she embarks on life and finds that some things don't always work out as planned or as we wished! The writing is superb and acting is on point. I highly recommend this film!
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6/10
A heartwarming tale of misses
Viknesh_Silvalingam26 August 2019
An insightful look at how one must grasp the opportunities given or risk living a lifetime of regretfulness. Great performances by this group of actors and actresses.
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9/10
Moving and thought-provoking drama
Anmer9322 August 2019
A wonderfully moving and thought-provoking drama with a splendid lead actress who also wrote and directed the film. Although it might appear too much for an indie filmmaker to take onboard, this could not be further from the case. The story and characters are so solidly crafted, writing, performance and direction come together in a beautiful way. Will be watching this one again soon.
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6/10
Woman Lost/Woman Found
baccaruda119 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This film falls into the sweet spot for most indie films - a serious story of a woman who has lost her zeal for living a full life after an accident forcefully and abruptly stopped her from what gave her life meaning, which is dancing professionally. Technically the film looks great, but it stumbles a bit in it's script. At just over an hour in length it's a quick watch, but the film would have benefitted from additional scenes showing her joy as a performer, as well as what happened when it all ended. As the film stands now, there is a lot of talking and pensive moments, and not nearly enough showing of formative events, which is what movies need to create motivation, and to keep a viewer's interest piqued. A scan of the credits reveals that the lead actress, Galia Barkol also wrote and directed, which is admirable. Plus, she is a good actress, and her performance was well done. Production values are likewise good. It's just that the script didn't give Ms. Barkol enough to do.
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10/10
Loved it!
craigahrens30 August 2019
It's rare, like it never happens, that Director/Writer can pull off playing the lead role in their film. Well, Galia Barkol not only pulled this off... she knocked to ball right out of the park!! I'm convinced she played the lead due to her being best suited actor for the role. This gem of a film had me hooked within minutes. Terrific story and very well shot! It's so well done on every level! I clearly and gladly give this film the thumbs up!
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8/10
Uplifting and inspiring
idarbo30 April 2021
Just loved that heartfelt story of second chances and restart. Beautifully told by Galia Barkol.
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8/10
Redefining one's life
BigHarvey26 April 2021
Don't Let the Night End is a beautiful and subtle film in the style of early Godard. On one level it's a slow burn romance but it is also a character study in loss and shifting goals. Subtle motifs are the broken phone, the missing cat, the rigidness of origami as Mia struggles to put her life back together and find meaning. The performances are very nuanced and naturalistic. The photography is lovely and music beautifully accompanies its protagonist's melancholy.
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10/10
A really nice film.
harriscalvin-115 January 2020
I really enjoyed watching this film. Lead actress; Galia Barkol, did an amazing job. The New York landscape played a pivotal role in telling the story of this one time dancer who after an accident left her leg injured. Galia takes us on a journey of reflection about what should be truly important to all of us; life. The other actors all did well and the music, camera shots, & editing were all on point. Well done!!!
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9/10
Subtle and Panoramic Views
briandilorenzofilm5 May 2021
I loved this film. Galia Barkol "Dont Let the Night End" announces the arrival of an assured talent on both sides of the camera. In a spritely 70 minutes, Barkol presents an incredibly assured panoramic vision of Brooklyn. The humor and tension of watching her character subtly navigate the trappings of twenty first century NY is a pure joy. There's a real confidence in the restraint Barkol has in her visual approach, with beautiful compositions of apartment interiors, that showcase her characters feelings of isolation and loneliness. One image that really stuck with me was of a WC door, that hung for an extended beat, with just a single hand visible in the light. Check out this hidden gem today if you are looking for a new voice with a fresh perspective.
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9/10
Stong performances, and direction
Ink7892 September 2019
An impressively personal feeling film with a level of honesty that is truly refreshing. Great performances, and no over-the-top Hollywood story tropes. I didn't feel mislead, or like I was being sold something. It maintained artistic integrity to a degree that is increasingly rare, and truly admirable.
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