Who's Afraid of Nathan Law

As a college freshman, shy Nathan Law discovers an identity in activism. As one of the organizers of a student strike demanding that Hong Kong be allowed to elect their own leader (something promised to them back in 1998), Nathan leads five days of student boycotts with a message of peaceful civil disobedience. When the strike suddenly becomes the Umbrella Revolution, Nathan is unexpectedly thrust into a leadership role that shuts down Hong Kong for 79 days and captures the attention of the world.

When the movement falters, Nathan is charged for his role in the Umbrella Revolution, but his entire generation in Hong Kong has been awoken. Riding the enthusiasm of the student movement he helped spark, Nathan makes the impossible transition from protest leader to elected official, becoming the youngest lawmaker in Hong Kong’s history where he continues his fight for democracy from inside the government.

Fearful of Nathan’s message gaining traction beyond students, the government disqualifies Nathan on a technicality and sends him to jail. As Hong Kong continues to see the erosion of its freedom, a new movement is launched. Whereas the Umbrella Revolution was driven by hope, this new movement is driven by desperation. Nathan’s message of civil disobedience is overshadowed by a new generation of protestors who no longer feel that peaceful demonstrations can save Hong Kong, As Hong descends into the biggest political crisis in modern Chinese history, Nathan must decide his role and his future.

A remarkable portrait of courage, resilience, and youthful idealism, WHO’S AFRAID OF NATHAN LAW? demonstrates how one young man mortgages his own future to try and save his home.

WHO’S AFRAID OF NATHAN LAW? is written and directed by Joe Piscatella (#chicagoGirl: The Social Network Takes on a Dictator; Joshua: Teeanger vs. Superpower). The film is produced Matthew Torne, Mark Rinehart and Joe Piscatella and is edited by Matthew Sultan. Hong Kong-based DPs, producers and all crew have chosen to remain anonymous to protect their safety.

“More than anything, Piscatella’s film is a display of the cunning nature of students, and a reminder for those of us many years removed from our school days of the fierce potential we felt with the world at our feet.” ~ Rachel Ho, POV Magazine