When the Chinese Communist Party threatens its promise of autonomy to Hong Kong, teenager Joshua Wong decides to save his homeland. Rallying thousands of kids to skip school and occupy the streets, Joshua becomes an unlikely leader in Hong Kong and one of China’s most notorious dissidents. A remarkable portrait of courage, resilience and youthful idealism, Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower demonstrates how one young man mortgages his own future to try and save his city.
“Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower is a filmmaking triumph,” says Lisa Nishimura, Netflix VP of Original Documentaries. “Piscatella has woven together the complex and inspirational story of an unlikely activist, whose acts of bravery and conviction need to be seen around the world. In an era where we are witnessing heightened civic participation and freedom of expression, we are pleased to offer a global platform for audiences to engage on these issues.”
“We could not be more thrilled to be in business with Netflix,” says Andrew Duncan, the film’s producer and Founder of June Pictures. “Their global platform will allow us to share Joshua’s message about the importance of due process of law and freedom of speech with a worldwide audience.”
“The Netflix partnership will also allow us to reach millions of young people who will find inspiration in Joshua’s story,” adds director Joe Piscatella.
Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower is written and directed by Joe Piscatella (#chicagoGirl: The Social Network Takes on a Dictator). The film is executive produced by Alex Saks and produced by Andrew Duncan, Matthew Torne and Mark Rinehart.
About Netflix:
Netflix is the world’s leading Internet television network with over 93 million members in over 190 countries enjoying more than 125 million hours of TV shows and movies per day, including original series, documentaries and feature films. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on nearly any Internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.
About June Pictures:
June Pictures is a filmmaker-driven independent production company founded in 2016 by Chairman Andrew Duncan and CEO Alex Saks that produces and finances feature-length narrative and documentary films. The LA-based company sold two films earlier this weekend at Sundance 2017 the psychological thriller THOROUGHBRED, written and directed by Cory Finley, starring Olivia Cooke, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Anton Yelchin and FUN MOM DINNER, directed by Alethea Jones, starring Toni Collette, Bridget Everett, Katie Aselton, and Molly Shannon. June Pictures is currently in post-production on three titles including: Paul Dano’s directorial debut, WILDLIFE, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Carey Mulligan; THE FLORIDA PROJECT, written and directed Sean Baker (“Tangerine”) starring Willem Dafoe; and the dramatic comedy DUDE, written and directed by Olivia Milch, starring Lucy Hale, Kathryn Prescott, Alexandra Shipp and Awkwafina. The Orchard released their first title, OPERATOR starring Martin Starr and Mae Whitman, in 2016.
