Beth De Araújo, Channing Tatum, and Gemma Chan Advocate for Tougher Penalties for Sexual Assault: “I Was Shocked”

Channing Tatum Reflects on Parenting Through ‘Josephine’

At the Sundance Film Festival, Channing Tatum shared how starring in Beth de Araújo’s film Josephine prompted him to reflect on his own upbringing and his role as a father.

Josephine tells the story of an eight-year-old girl, portrayed by Mason Reeves, who witnesses a sexual assault. As her parents, played by Tatum and Gemma Chan, grapple with how to help their daughter cope, they confront their own fears surrounding the sensitive subject.

“It just hit home,” Tatum remarked while discussing de Araújo’s script. “My dad raised me in a certain way, Southern, very hard… I saw him very much in Damon. As I kept reading and talking with Beth, I began to recognize similarities in my own parenting.”

Tatum admitted the difficulties in discussing such topics with his 12-year-old daughter. After a premiere screening, she asked him about the film. “I hadn’t shared much about the movie, and I found myself struggling to say the word ‘rape.’ She is very smart—she would understand—but even the word made me uncomfortable. This movie highlights what we often avoid discussing, even though such conversations are vital.”

De Araújo noted that the film seeks to explore hyper-vigilance through the eyes of a child. “I wanted to depict a child witnessing a traumatic event and the extreme fear that follows, examining how this fear can shape behavior,” she explained.

Chan, who was the first to join the project, resonated deeply with her character, Claire. “She’s complicated, wrestling with how to protect her daughter while also conveying the reality of danger in the world,” Chan stated.

Both Chan and Tatum were alarmed by the short prison sentences often imposed on perpetrators of sexual assault and the challenges victims face when reporting these crimes.

“I was shocked at how minimal the sentences can be,” Tatum said, contemplating the legal system’s response to such offenses.

De Araújo highlighted alarming statistics: “In California, the mandatory minimum for a rape conviction is three years. It used to be just one year. That’s appalling considering the severity of the crime. The numbers indicate that one in four women and one in six men in the United States experience sexual assault, and I believe the actual figures are likely higher.” She expressed her hope that the film would encourage discussions about timing and approaches to educating children on these issues.

Chan emphasized the systemic issues with prosecution, referencing UK statistics: “Less than 3% of reported rapes result in a charge within the first year. It’s a frightening reality—essentially a crime that remains unpunished and unchecked.”

Reeves, making her acting debut, shared her own experience during filming. “I had no idea who Chan and Tatum were; I didn’t know any actors. Yet, I formed a bond with them while filming. Gemma and I had a flour fight, and Channing would pretend to high five me, then pull back at the last moment,” she recalled, laughing.

Tatum chimed in, “I received about 150,000 dirty looks a day from her. That was definitely part of her method for becoming an actress.”

To see the full interview, click on the video above.

Gemma Chan, Mason Reeves, and Channing Tatum in ‘Josephine’ by Beth de Araújo.
Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Greta Zozula