- Welcome to POV.
I'm Pete Schwaba, host of PBS Wisconsin's Director's Cut.
Tonight, we bring you the story
of a soft-spoken and unlikely hero from Hong Kong
who risks his own safety
to take on the oppressive Chinese government
through the film Who's Afraid of Nathan Law?
is a follow-up
to director Joe Piscitello's 2017 film
Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower,
which followed a 15-year-old activist named Joshua.
Joshua was a riveting subject:
intelligent, angry, and charismatic.
In tonight's film,
the main character is a friend of Joshua's
from the previous film named Nathan Law.
The director makes the first part of tonight's film a recap
of what happened in his previous film.
The difference between the two films?
In Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower,
there was great hope and enthusiasm
from a youthful activist movement
that showed promise for the people of Hong Kong.
In tonight's film,
we see a potential revolution being squashed by China.
Nathan Law is considered one of the brightest minds
behind the youth movement in Hong Kong.
Nathan won a seat as a legislator at the age of 23,
the youngest winner ever.
Instead of his victory being the catalyst for change
or carryover from the protests in the previous film,
China became more totalitarian.
Laws were written by China that threatened people
who were even suspected of any type of dissent,
greatly limiting what the press could say or report,
resulting in more violence in the streets
between protesters and police.
Throughout the film,
we are reminded of the danger Law faces,
as he is often interviewed in remote locations
or in empty buildings.
Like any authentic and true documentarian,
director Joe Piscatella experienced firsthand
what life was like for the Hong Kong protesters
as he planted himself right in the thick of the protests.
As a director, Joe is fascinated by the bravery of those
who stand up to enormous power structures.
Piscitello likes to juxtapose the fiery charismatic side
of his subjects by showing their human sides as well.
Instead of portraying them as superhuman activists or heroes,
he likes to showcase the little moments that make them real,
like sitting at home and ordering a pizza
or laughing with friends about the mundane,
feeling that these moments
are what help viewers connect with his players.
So sit back and order a pizza if you like,
and let's all connect with the brave characters
in this award-winning film.
Who's Afraid of Nathan Law? starts now on PBS Wisconsin,
your home for independent film.