Netflix has acquired The Disciple: A Wu-Tang Fable, the feature directorial debut of Joanna Natasegara, and will release the film Oct. 16 following its world premiere at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.
What is ‘The Disciple: A Wu-Tang Fable’ about?
Per the official description, “The Disciple: A Wu-Tang Fable is “the true story of an outsider whose relentless determination catapults him into the Wu-Tang Clan’s inner circle, where ambition and creativity converge to record an album destined to ignite global controversy.” It traces “the decades-long journey of Dutch-Moroccan rapper and producer Cilvaringz, who transformed himself from the group’s most devoted fan into the unlikeliest of disciples to his childhood heroes, including The RZA, whose mentorship shapes the odyssey that follows. That journey culminates in Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, a 31-track album packaged in an ornate, handcrafted silver box and auctioned to the highest bidder in 2015. Only one copy will ever legally exist. Its scarcity is a form of protest, and an argument that music still holds intrinsic worth as art in a digital age.”
Natasegara said, “For the last 5 years making this film has been a labour of love and discovery for me. Initially I was inspired by a teenhood love of Wu-Tang and a story about the secret album Once Upon a Time in Shaolin too intriguing to miss. In the making I discovered so much more about why Tarik, myself, and so many of us idolise them. They stand for so much that is so needed right now — community, talent, tenacity, innovation and love. I’m so thrilled audiences will get to spend time in this world I’ve loved so much.”
Natasegara directs and produces alongside Abigail Anketell-Jones, Lauren Dark and Vanessa Kirby. The RZA, Joe Gebbia, Jason Ropell and Abazar Khayami executive produce, alongside David Kimbangi, Farhana Bhula and Ollie Madden for Film4, and Trevor Burgess, Gary Hess and James Costa for Bird Street Productions. Chloë Lambourne and Chris Dickens edit.
The film is billed as a Netflix Documentary in association with Studio Gebbia, Film4, 36 Cinema and Sony Music Vision, and an Aluna Entertainment and Violet Films production.
When does ‘The Disciple: A Wu-Tang Fable’ premiere?
The Disciple: A Wu-Tang Fable arrives on Netflix on Oct. 16.
Featured image photo credit: Photo: Tarik Azzougarh
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