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 1997), 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 Kong descends into the biggest political crisis in modern Chinese history, Nathan must decide his role and his future.

 

Cast

Self
Nathan Law
Who's Afraid of Nathan Law? - Poster 1

Who's Afraid of Nathan Law?

Joe Piscatella

  • Documentary
Production Country / Year
United Kingdom 2023
Language
en., yue. OF mit de. UT
Format
DCP, Both, 85min
1.78:1 (16:9), Discrete 5.1

Director & Crew

Joe Piscatella 1

Joe Piscatella

Born in 1972 in Gig Harbor, Washington/USA. Studied Creative Writing at USC. Worked as a screenwriter for television, radio, film, and print and as a producer. Active as a screenwriter and director.

 

Filmography

2013 #CHICAGOGIRL: THE SOCIAL NETWORK TAKES ON A DICTATOR, Dokumentarfilm

2017 JOSHUA: TEENAGER VS. SUPERPOWER, Dokumentarfilm

2019 MAI KHOI AND THE DISSIDENTS, Dokumentarfilm 2019 FOOD INTERRUPTED, TV Serie

2021 LAST KNOWN COORDINATES, Dokumentarfilm

2013 WHO'S AFRAID OF NATHAN LAW?, Dokumentarfilm  HOF 2024

Writer
Joe Piscatella
Director of Photography
John Palmer
Editor
Matthew Sultan
Sound Designer
Gabe Serrano
Make-up
Lucy Patchett
Julia Bowden
Producer
Joe Piscatella
Mark Reinhart