In Beth de Araújo’s Josephine, actors Channing Tatum and Gemma Chan portray parents striving to protect their daughter, Josephine, played by Mason Reeves, as she witnesses a violent crime. The production team focused closely on ensuring Mason Reeves, making her feature film debut, felt safe and comfortable while navigating challenging scenes.
During filming, Araújo, Tatum, and Chan worked together to maintain a warm atmosphere on set, especially given the sensitive nature of the story. This supportive dynamic was designed to help Reeves handle the intense material without distress.
“Luckily, we had Chan(ning) and Gemma, who are just so warm and so generous on set and always very playful between takes and constantly checking in on Mason in this really beautiful way — to the point where sometimes she was like, ‘I’m fine, it’s OK,’”
Araújo explained to TheWrap’s Casey Loving at the Sundance Film Festival, where Josephine premiered as part of the U.S. Dramatic Competition.
“Some of the harder conversations, I left to just be up to her parents to explain. She wasn’t involved in any of the scenes where there’s violence, so she never beared witness.”
Development and Birth of the Project
Araújo developed Josephine over several years, with the screenplay first chosen for Sundance’s screenwriting and directing labs in 2018. Mason Reeves recalled how Araújo initially approached her about the project after noticing her at a farmer’s market, highlighting how carefully the director began building trust with the young actress.
“Beth came over while I was looking at dates, and she was like, ‘Where’s your mom?’”
Reeves recalled.
“I’m like, ‘Um…’ and gave her, like — you explain it.”
“She gave me a weary look and pointed at her mom,”
Araújo said with a laugh.
Personal Touches and On-Set Celebrations
Araújo infused personal elements into the film, including a sweatshirt featured in multiple scenes depicting Roger and Jessica Rabbit playing soccer, which was originally hand-drawn by her mother for her during childhood. To create a joyful environment amid the serious themes, the cast and crew surprised Reeves with a birthday party early in the shoot to celebrate her eighth birthday.
Ensuring a Playful Experience Amid Difficult Scenes
Channing Tatum emphasized the importance of making the filming experience enjoyable for Mason, especially because it was her first acting role involving intense and emotionally demanding content. He wanted to keep the atmosphere light and communicative, allowing Mason to feel secure when performing challenging moments.
“I really just wanted to play,”
Tatum said.
“I know that I have the most productive experience on set when I am enjoying it, even when it’s hard. You can put yourself into the scenes when it matters, and they can be tough. But I wanted her to know that, because she’s never acted before. I was probably overly communicative: ‘Hey, you know I’m gonna yell at you in the scene? Is that gonna be cool?’”
“You can’t take it back if there’s a bad experience.”
This protective approach was shared across the team, with Araújo, Tatum, and Chan adopting a parental role that involved encouraging Reeves and fostering a supportive set atmosphere. Their camaraderie became evident during interviews, where Tatum humorously introduced himself as “Mason Reeves, I play Mason.”
Mason’s Skillful Handling of Complex Scenes
Gemma Chan praised Mason Reeves for her sensitivity and focus, particularly in a pivotal scene where her character Claire has a difficult conversation with Josephine inside a car. Chan highlighted how Reeves balanced listening and emotional presence, making filming this challenging scene feel manageable.
“I have to say that Mason was so sensitive in to work with. I couldn’t have asked for a better scene partner, just the way she was listening and absorbing,”
Chan said.
“Claire is really wrestling with how much to share with her daughter, how truthful she can be, that balance of wanting to shield her but also being truthful about the danger of the world and what’s happened to her in her own past. In some ways, it was a hard scene to film, but it also didn’t feel that way because Mason was so brilliant.”
The Film’s Reception and Next Steps
Josephine received a warm reception following its Sundance premiere, marking a promising start for everyone involved. The care taken during production to protect and nurture Mason Reeves not only contributed to her strong performance but also set a standard for working with young actors in difficult roles. With its blend of deeply emotional storytelling and supportive collaboration behind the scenes, the film stands as a noteworthy entry in the U.S. Dramatic Competition lineup and signals ongoing conversations about responsible filmmaking practices.
