Netflix Buys Documentary Project by Andrew Duncan, Joe Piscatella

New York City NY

05 October, 2021

4:31 AM

Description

Netflix has become a platform for important programming, in addition to the standard entertainment fare. Some recent documentaries, including some produced by President Barak Obama and former First Lady, Michelle Obama, have brought important social issues around the world to light and encouraged greater dialogue and awareness. One such film, produced by Joe Piscatella, Andrew Duncan, Matthew Torne and Mark Rinehart is "Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower." This documentary followed one inspiring person, Joshua Wong, in his quest for democracy in Hong Kong. In 2014, at the age of 16, Mr. Wong became an icon when he started demanded universal suffrage as part of Hong Kong's Umbrella Movement.This global attention covered the world including New York. Lennon Walls sprung up in New York allowing New Yorkers to voice their support. In 2019, Wong spoke at a New York City event organized by New Yorkers Who Support Hong Kong. Wong followed this up with a trip to Washington DC. Deeply invested in the human rights story, Andrew Duncan, Joe Piscatella and others wanted to get involved in telling Mr. Wong's story. And they did so with the documentary that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was then sold to Netflix. The story chronicles Mr. Wong's life from 2012 until 2016.Netflix described the documentary as "a remarkable portrait of courage, resilience and youthful idealism." Andrew Duncan explained that, "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."