In their ongoing battle for world domination, Netflix are having a bit of a block in China, one of the world’s largest markets. While box office in the country is becoming increasingly crucial to major studios, the streaming service have struggled to gather a foothold in the nation, owing in part to foreign film censorship and data-storage regulations, and they still haven’t launched in the country, with the chances of doing so apparently slim, according to CEO Reed Hastings.
But props to Netflix for not pulling their punches in order to placate the Chinese authorities and gain approval to launch there: Netflix’s newest documentary, “Joshua: Teenager Vs. Superpower,” looks at the thorny issue of Chinese authority over the territory of Hong Kong. Directed by screenwriter Joe Piscatella (“Underdog”), it tells the story of Joshua Wong, a 14-year-old who stands up for the rights of his home of Hong Kong when the Chinese government, who took back control from the British in 1997, alter their promises of autonomy, and spark mass protests on an almost unprecedented scale.
It’s a fascinating story and Piscatella’s film won strong reviews, and the Audience Award in the World Documentary section, at Sundance this year. With the film a few weeks away from hitting Netflix, the service has debuted the trailer for the film, and you can watch it below before it comes online on May 26th.