Filmmaker Beth de Araújo's 12-Year Journey to Bring 'Josephine' to the Screen

Channing Tatum, Gemma Chan and newcomer Mason Reeves star in de Araújo's autobiographical drama about the aftermath for an 8-year-old girl who witnesses a violent crime.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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More than a decade after first taking the project to the Sundance Directors Lab, writer-director Beth de Araújo arrived in Berlin with her autobiographical drama 'Josephine.' The film, starring Channing Tatum, Gemma Chan and newcomer Mason Reeves, is about a child who witnesses a horrific violent crime and the aftermath that follows. De Araújo's own experience as a child witnessing a sexual assault in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park inspired the story, which explores the 'intersection of unreasonable hyper vigilance and reasonable fear' that a child can face.

Why it matters

De Araújo's personal connection to the story and her commitment to depicting the justice system's handling of child witnesses in sexual assault cases lends the film an authenticity and timeliness, as it raises important questions about accountability, shame, and the support available for survivors. The film's critical acclaim and awards recognition at Sundance also highlight the power of personal storytelling to drive meaningful conversations around difficult societal issues.

The details

In the film, 8-year-old Josephine (Reeves) witnesses a brutal rape in a park while out running with her father, Damien, played by Tatum. The assault unfolds in real time, from the child's perspective, before Damien arrives, chasing after the attacker and leaving his daughter alone to process what she has seen. The story follows the aftermath, including debates over whether Josephine, as the sole witness, should testify at the trial of the rapist. De Araújo made the choice to have Josephine testify after researching how the legal system handles child witnesses, even though she herself did not testify in the real-life incident that inspired the film.

  • More than a decade after first taking the project to the Sundance Directors Lab, writer-director Beth de Araújo arrived in Berlin with Josephine.
  • The film won both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival and is now screening in competition at the Berlinale.

The players

Beth de Araújo

The writer-director of Josephine, whose own experience as a child witnessing a sexual assault in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park inspired the film.

Channing Tatum

The actor who plays Damien, the father of the 8-year-old protagonist, Josephine.

Gemma Chan

The actress who was attached to the project when it was first taken to the Sundance Directors Lab over a decade ago.

Mason Reeves

The newcomer actor who was discovered at a San Francisco farmers market and plays the role of Josephine, the 8-year-old witness to a brutal rape.

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What they’re saying

“I've been trying for 12 years [to get Josephine made]. This was supposed to be my first feature. I was at the Sundance directors lab with it. However, given the subject matter, it was incredibly challenging to piece together.”

— Beth de Araújo, Writer-Director (The Hollywood Reporter)

“I promise you like that, that conversation that I had [in the film] with Josephine underneath the bridge is a conversation that I've had with my daughter: 'You will never be in trouble with me if you protect yourself. If someone is doing something that you don't want and you are asking them not to and they don't listen, you have the full right to protect yourself. And I will back you forever.'”

— Channing Tatum, Actor (The Hollywood Reporter)

What’s next

Josephine, having won both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at Sundance, is now screening in competition at the Berlinale and could be an early awards contender.

The takeaway

De Araújo's deeply personal film not only tells a powerful story of a child's resilience in the face of trauma, but also serves as a call for greater accountability and support for survivors of sexual violence. The film's long journey to the screen underscores the challenges of bringing such sensitive subject matter to the screen, but its critical acclaim suggests the importance of amplifying these vital conversations.