Official Trailer for ‘The Mission’ Documentary About a Killed Missionary
by Alex Billington
August 31, 2023
Source: YouTube
“My friend did something stupid and courageous.” Don’t really agree with all of that… National Geographic Documentary Films has revealed the first official trailer for a doc called The Mission, made by talented doc filmmakers Amanda McBaine & Jesse Moss (of Boys State most recently). This is premiering at the 2023 Telluride Film Festival this weekend, hence the trailer arriving in celebration of its world premiere. The 26-year-old Christian missionary from America, John Chau, was killed by arrows as he attempted to make contact with an Indigenous group on an island off the coast of India, one of the last communities on the planet still living in isolation. This is his story. “The Mission contains multitudes, thanks to Amanda & Jesse’s artful, empathic and nuanced storytelling. It is a gripping murder mystery that examines the moral and ethical implications of John Chau’s story to probe deeply into the complicated history of colonialism and global exploration.” Even if I don’t like this story, it does look like a seriously captivating doc to watch.
Here’s the first official trailer (+ poster) for McBaine & Moss’ doc The Mission, direct from YouTube:
“Looking closely at John Chau’s death, we found a complicated, layered story, equal parts adventure and tragedy. At its core, it’s an intimate drama, an emotional dialogue between father and son. But it also raises questions for all of us about the great historical forces that have shaped our world, about the implications of faith and the legacy of the so-called Age of Discovery. It’s a story worthy of the big screen, and one that echoes the epic tales that inspired John and finally doomed him.” –Directors Amanda McBaine & Jesse Moss
In 2018, a shocking event made headlines around the world: a young American missionary, John Chau, was killed by arrows while attempting to contact one of the world’s most isolated Indigenous peoples on remote North Sentinel Island. From Emmy-winning directors Amanda McBaine & Jesse Moss with Oscar-winning producer Simon Chinn & Emmy-winning producer Jonathan Chinn of Lightbox, comes National Geographic Documentary Films’ The Mission, which uncovers the gripping story beyond the headlines. Through exclusive interviews and with unprecedented access to Chau’s secret plans, personal diaries, and video archives, The Mission examines the mythology of exploration that inspired him, the evangelical community that supported his quest, and reveals his own father’s heartbreak as Chau’s youthful thirst for adventure became a fatal obsession. For more info on the film’s release, visit films.nationalgeographic.com.
The Mission is directed by award-winning doc producers / filmmakers Amanda McBaine & Jesse Moss (also director of Speedo, Con Man, The Overnighters, The Bandit, Killing the Colorado), both co-directors of the doc film Boys State previously. Produced by Simon Chinn, Jonathan Chinn, and Will Cohen. This is premiering at the 2023 Telluride Film Festival this week, with stops at the Aspen and London Film Festivals later this fall. Nat Geo & Altitude & Picturehouse will debut The Mission in select theaters (NY & Toronto) starting on October 13th, 2023, and in the UK starting November 17th this fall. Interested in watching?
 |
