a new doc introduces joshua wong, the revolutionary teenager who took on the chinese government

Netflix has released the first trailer for Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower, a new documentary film from Joe Piscatella. The film tells the story of Joshua Wong, the teenager who became a leader of the 2014 “umbrella revolution” — fighting for Hong Kong’s autonomy from the Chinese government.

Joshua Wong rallied huge crowds during the 2014 demonstrations, inspiring thousands of students to skip school and occupy Hong Kong’s streets. The protesters marched for democracy, demanding that the Chinese Communist Party uphold promises of autonomy for Hong Kong that were made when the territory was handed back by the British in 1997. The “one country, two systems” agreement has allowed Hong Kong to operate with its own separate currency, legal system, legislature, and people’s rights. The political party Joshua founded, Demosistō, is campaigning for a referendum on Hong Kong’s sovereignty when the “one country, two systems” agreement concludes in 2047.

At this year’s Sundance Film Festival, Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower claimed the “Audience Award” in the World Cinema Documentary Competition. The film will arrive on Netflix May 26.

Read: i-D hit the streets in China’s most international cities to find out what freedom means under the rule of the Chinese government.

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