Sumerian Pictures Acquires Channing Tatum, Gemma Chan’s ‘Josephine’
Sumerian Pictures has acquired the psychological thriller “Josephine,” featuring Channing Tatum and Gemma Chan, in a competitive seven-figure deal for U.S. distribution. The film, which also stars newcomer Mason Reeves, has already made a significant impact since its world premiere at Sundance.
Details About “Josephine”
“Josephine” is a heart-wrenching drama written and directed by Beth de Araújo. The film tells the story of an 8-year-old girl who witnesses a rape in Golden Gate Park. Reeves plays the girl, a role de Araújo discovered during a farmer’s market casting in her native San Francisco. Tatum and Chan portray the girl’s parents, who struggle with their daughter’s trauma while seeking justice.
Notable Premiere and Upcoming Releases
The film premiered at Sundance on January 23, to an emotional audience reaction, earning a standing ovation. It is set to debut internationally at the Berlin Film Festival next week. “Josephine” has already been recognized as a powerful film, receiving acclaim from critics.
- Director: Beth de Araújo
- Producers: Channing Tatum, Gemma Chan, David Kaplan, Josh Peters, and others
- Executive Producers: Emanuel Nuñez, Jordan Rapaport
- Financing Partners: Kinematics, Spark Features, Yintai
Quotes from the Director and Execs
De Araújo expressed her enthusiasm for Sumerian Pictures, stating, “I’m pleased to see that Sumerian has emerged as a new distribution company made up of people who love films.” Sumerian Pictures president Rob Williams added that “Josephine” is “an enthralling, deeply emotional and powerful film” deserving of its acclaim.
Sumerian Pictures and Their Future
Founded by Ash Avildsen, Sumerian Pictures has recently expanded into film distribution. The company is not only focused on “Josephine” but also has several films lined up, including the rom-com “Mile End Kicks” and David Verbeek’s “The Wolf, the Fox and the Leopard.”
“Josephine” marks De Araújo’s second feature film, following her acclaimed 2022 thriller “Soft & Quiet.” The film has already garnered attention and praise for its nuanced performances, particularly noting the emotional depth brought by its cast.
