The first trailer for “Josephine,” winner of the top two prizes at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, has been released.
Starring Channing Tatum and Gemma Chan, the psychological thriller is a work of autobiographical fiction based on writer-director Beth de Araújo’s lived experiences. Tatum and Chan play parents who struggle to support their eight-year-old daughter, Josephine (newcomer Mason Reeves), after she witness an unimaginably horrific crime in Golden Gate Park.
“Josephine” was one of the breakout hits at Sundance, winning the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award, and was acquired by Sumerian Pictures in a competitive seven-figure deal. The film also screened in competition at the Berlin International Film Festival. It will continue its festival rollout next month at the Toronto International Film Festival. Sumerian Pictures has committed to an awards campaign. As a contender, “Josephine” is in good company; the last film to win both of Sundance’s top U.S. dramatic prizes was Siân Heder’s “CODA,” which went on to win best picture at the Oscars. Lee Isaac Chung’s “Minari” is also part of this exclusive club.
Variety gave the film a glowing review out of Sundance, with former chief film critic Peter Debruge calling it the “standout” of the festival and commending de Araújo for daring “to confront the life-shattering intersection of sex and violence in our culture.”
The film is produced by Araújo, Tatum, Chan, David Kaplan, Josh Peters, Marina Stabile, Mark H. Rapaport and Crystine Zhang, with Emanuel Nuñez and Jordan Rapaport serving as executive producers.
“Josephine” will be released in theaters on November 20. Watch the trailer below.
