Watch In the Same Breath

In the Same Breath is a documentary film directed by Nanfu Wang, released in 2021. The film focuses on the outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, and its subsequent spread across the world. The movie highlights the power of propaganda and misinformation, as the Chinese government swiftly clamped down on any information related to the virus as it emerged in late 2019. The documentary follows a series of individuals impacted by the virus, including Wuhan-based families, medical professionals, and U.S.-based Chinese immigrants who lost family members to COVID-19.

The documentary presents an incredibly in-depth and critical look at Chinese government’s handling of the virus outbreak, detailing the country’s strategy of suppressing news and propaganda to keep the pandemic from spreading beyond Wuhan. Through testimonials from Wuhan residents and Chinese journalists, the movie lays bare the suppression and intimidation of journalists who dared to question the authorities’ handling of the epidemic, as well as the regime’s manipulation of social media to shape public opinion.

The movie also takes a critical look at the U.S. government's handling of the pandemic, particularly during the Trump administration. The documentary raises questions about the democratic country's healthcare system, comparing China's response with the United States' in terms of implementing measures such as testing and contact tracing, and examines the disconnect between the government, the medical community, and the public during a crisis.

The documentary carefully presents the ways in which different national governments attempted to shape public opinion to control the narrative around COVID-19 from the onset of the outbreak.

The film features testimonies from a variety of experts, politicians and medical professionals, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, who speaks on the response of the US government to the pandemic. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio also appears, providing insight about New York’s experience with the virus.

In the Same Breath is an excellent documentary for anyone interested in understanding the various ways different countries managed the pandemic, as well as the global impact it had. The film also offers a commentary on authoritarianism, censorship, and mass media manipulation during a crisis.

Overall, In the Same Breath is a must-watch that offers a raw and vivid reflection of the political handling of COVID-19, its impact on public health, and how crucial government transparency is in dealing with crises such as pandemics. Nanfu Wang has done an outstanding job in presenting these complex and difficult issues with compassion and grace, while also being unflinching in her critique. Without a doubt, this documentary will leave you with a lot to reflect on.

In the Same Breath is a 2021 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 85.