Channing Tatum was visibly emotional at the world premiere of ‘Josephine’, one of the first films to generate strong buzz at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. The actor admitted he broke down several times while watching the film for the first time at Park City’s Eccles Theater, as audiences responded with tears, applause and a standing ovation
Directed and written by Beth de Araújo, Josephine is a deeply personal drama inspired by the filmmaker’s own childhood experience. The story follows an eight-year-old girl who witnesses a sexual assault in her neighbourhood and struggles to process the fear and confusion that follow. Tatum and Gemma Chan play her parents, navigating their daughter’s trauma while confronting their own helplessness.
Speaking after the screening, de Araújo said she began writing the film more than a decade ago after realising how profoundly the incident had shaped her life. She described the project as an attempt to explore fear and resilience through a child’s perspective, a choice that drew praise from the audience and cast alike.
The premiere also marked a breakout moment for newcomer Mason Reeves, who plays the title role. Discovered by de Araújo at a San Francisco farmers’ market, the young actor charmed the crowd during the post-screening discussion and said she hopes to continue acting, preferably in lighter genres next time.
Tatum, who is himself a father, spoke about the challenges of portraying a stern parent opposite such a young performer, saying he was careful to reassure Reeves that the tense moments were purely fictional. Chan said she was drawn to the script’s honesty and its refusal to soften a difficult subject, calling the film “brave” in its approach.
