Virginia Film Festival

In 2018, the world was captivated by the tragic story of John Chau, a young American missionary who lost his life while attempting to contact the Sentinelese Indigenous group. Located on an island in the Bay of Bengal, the group lives in isolation and vehemently opposes any outside contact. Directors Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss (Boys State) take audiences beyond the headlines and delve into Chau’s story through a collection of previously unseen video entries and personal diaries.

As the filmmakers unravel the mythology that inspired Chau’s exploration, a darker narrative surrounding the influence of Evangelicalism emerges. The Mission seeks to uncover the motivations that drove Chau on his final journey and understand how his devotion to faith and adventure transformed into a fatal obsession.

Introduction by Kathleen Flake (UVA).