Davido Oyelowo‘s directorial debut, The Water Man has been acquired by Netflix and RLJE Films, a US production-distribution firm.
The family adventure movie first premiered at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival and now, it will premiere at US theatres on May 7. while Netflix will release it worldwide later this year.
The Water Man tells the story of Gunner (This is Us actor, Lonnie Chavis), who sets out to save his ill mother (Rosario Dawson) by searching for a mythic figure who possesses the secret to immortality.
After accepting the help of a mysterious local girl, who identifies as Jo (Amiah Miller), they journey together into the remote Wild Horse forest. But the deeper they venture, the stranger and more dangerous the forest becomes.
Their only hope for rescue is Gunner’s father (Oyelowo), who goes to find them and discover who his son really is.
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While speaking at the acquisition, Oyelowo said: “To be able to share my directorial debut, The Water Man, with the world through the hands of RLJE Films and Netflix is a dream come true for me.
“While in some ways this film is a father and son story, at its core it’s also a love letter to mothers everywhere.”
The film is produced under Oyelowo’s Yoruba/Saxon Productions banner and Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Films and ShivHans Pictures, with Winfrey, Darren M. Demetre, Connor Flanagan and Needell as executive producers.
