Nat Geo Acquires Matthew Heineman Covid-19 Doc

National Geographic Documentary Films has picked up the new feature documentary The First Wave, from Participant and Our Time Projects and directed and produced by Matthew Heineman (Cartel Land, City of Ghosts).

The First Wave, with exclusive access into one of New York City’s hardest-hit hospitals, spotlights the everyday heroes at the epicenter of Covid-19 as they come together to fight the global threat. NEON will release the film in theaters later this year prior to a broadcast premiere on National Geographic in 172 countries and 43 languages worldwide.

The “first wave” of Covid-19 ravaged New York City from March through June 2020. The First Wave documents those harrowing first four months, embedding with a group of healthcare workers at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Queens as they risked their lives in the battle to keep the virus at bay.

Jenna Millman and Leslie Norville will produce alongside Heineman. Executive producers include Participant’s Jeff Skoll and Diane Weyermann, Alex Gibney (Taxi to the Dark Side), Leah Natasha Thomas, Maiken Baird, David Fialkow, Pagan Harleman and Joedan Okun.

Carolyn Bernstein, executive VP of global scripted content and documentary films for National Geographic, said: “As we battle through the pandemic, we hope Matt’s powerful, deeply humanistic film will serve as a historical record of our collective struggle against seemingly insurmountable odds and also provide some much-needed catharsis as we start to feel a little more hopeful about the future.”

Heineman said: “I feel deeply honored that I had the opportunity to document—through our subjects over four terrifying months—the impact of this pandemic. It has forced us to question everything, the fragility of our lives, and the way we live. The film explores every aspect of the human condition—fear and courage, death and birth, and the inescapable weight of trauma, both the kind that is deeply held and also newly experienced. I hope this film will be a testament to the power of the human spirit when faced with one of the greatest threats the world has ever encountered.”

Diane Weyermann, chief content officer for Participant, said: “Matthew Heineman and the incredible filmmaking team behind The First Wave have created a vital film of and for our time spotlighting the heroic work of frontline responders and exposing the urgent need for drastic change toward racial and health equity. We are thrilled to partner again with the teams at National Geographic and NEON in getting this extraordinary film to audiences around the world.”