"Josephine" Set to Thrill US: Lands Major Film Deal

Hey movie buffs, buckle up! "Josephine", the spellbinding psychological thriller starring Channing Tatum, Gemma Chan, and fresh talent Mason Reeves, just bagged a juicy seven-figure deal with Sumerian Pictures, ensuring a major cinematic release stateside.

Brace yourselves, because Sumerian Pictures, led by founder Ash Avildsen and growing in stature as a film distribution hotshot, is not just aiming for big ticket sales. They are staking their bet on "Josephine’s" potential to sweep up a few major awards as well.

The buzz around "Josephine" hit fever pitch when it debuted at this year’s Sundance, tugging hearts and capturing imaginations, and well, let's just say it did a little more than steal the show. If you're an international film enthusiast, watch out for its international unveiling at the Berlin Film Festival next week.

Penned and directed by the brilliant Beth de Araújo, "Josephine" is a deeply moving autobiographical work of fiction. The stirring tale revolves around an 8-year-old protagonist, inspired by young Mason Reeves, who is thrust into witnessing a shockingly intense event in Golden Gate Park. Tatum and Chan portray her on-screen parents, tasked with the gripping quest for justice against the backdrop of their little girl's harrowing ordeal.

Director de Araújo couldn't help but gush over Reeves, whom she found at a humble farmer's market in beautiful San Francisco. Praising her as "an incredibly smart and emotionally intelligent person", the director believed it was "magic when her audition tape came in."

When it comes to Sumerian Pictures' knack for film distribution, de Araújo is clearly thrilled. In a public statement, she dubbed the company a group of film enthusiasts dedicated to welcoming audiences into the theaters.

On their part, Avildsen and Sumerian Pictures president Rob Williams have nothing but excitement for "Josephine", calling it an "enthralling, deeply emotional, and powerful film." Sumerian Pictures is ready to amplify that thrill with a collection of exciting releases including the rom-com "Mile End Kicks", and "Horsegirls" directed by Lauren Meyering.

"Josephine’s" emotional premiere on Jan. 23 was a touching moment for de Araújo. It represented a full-circle journey as she had first nurtured the material at the Sundance Institute’s directors’ lab. The crowd cheered and gave a standing ovation, as her cast, including Tatum, joined her with Reeves in tow, who was playfully swung around by her film Dad.

De Araújo, who earlier gave us the edge-of-the-seat thriller "Soft & Quiet" back in 2022, has once again crafted a universal human experience from incredibly specific details. With such an outstanding narrative and emotional depth, get ready for "Josephine" to really tug at your heartstrings.