> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://hyperallergic.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# The Battle Against COVID-19 in Wuhan
- URL: https://hyperallergic.com/76-days-wuhan-lockdown-pandemic-documentary/
- Published: 2020-12-04T14:45:00.000Z
- Updated: 2025-11-24T15:38:16.000Z
- Description: Following healthcare workers during the early months of the pandemic, the film 76 Days draws an inspiring picture of collective effort to fight disaster.
- Author: Dan Schindel
- Tags: Film, Capsule Reviews, China, COVID-19, Documentary, Review, Wuhan, #wp, #wp-post, #image-position-hidden, #Import 2025-11-24 09:08 (2019, 2020, part 3)

The title of [*76 Days*](https://www.76daysfilm.com/?ref=hyperallergic.com) refers to the length of time that Wuhan, China was under lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, from late January to early April 2020\. With a population of 11 million, the city's shutdown marked the largest documented quarantine in history. In this documentary, [*People's Republic of Desire*](https://hyperallergic.com/present-perfect-china-livestreaming-ridm/) director Hao Wu, Chinese journalist Weixi Chen, and a third anonymous co-director capture the efforts of ordinary hospital workers in Wuhan during this time.

Though it lacks the instant name recognition of Ai Weiwei's similar film [*CoroNation*](https://hyperallergic.com/coronation-ai-weiwi-wuhan-covid-documentary/), which was [surprise-released earlier this year](https://hyperallergic.com/ai-weiwei-covid-19-wuhan-documentary/),*76 Days* is the superior effort. Where Ai's film is sprawling, this one is focused, finding many more intensely humane moments amongst the doctors and their patients. One subplot follows a woman with COVID who gives birth, and how both she and her baby are closely monitored afterward. A tender recurring motif sees the health workers write encouraging messages on their and others' PPE suits with markers. From numerous small moments, it draws together an inspiring picture of collective effort to fight a disaster.

[76 Days](https://www.76daysfilm.com/watch?ref=hyperallergic.com) *opens in virtual cinemas December 4.*