Archive · 18 Aug 2025
Neurosphere Adapting Chinese American Civil Rights Story 'The Lucky Ones'
Imagine a family, the Tapes, who were treated unfairly because of their Chinese background.
In the 1800s, they fought for their kids to go to school, but were denied.
They went to court and WON, a really big deal.
This case, Tape v.
Hurley, helped define who is considered an American citizen, even before other important court cases.
A company called Neurosphere is making a movie and TV show about this important story.
The story follows the Tapes through tough times and shows how they fought for what was right, inspiring people to belong and fight for justice.
Neurosphere Entertainment acquired film and TV rights to Mae Ngai's book 'The Lucky Ones'.
The book chronicles the fight for Chinese American civil rights during the Chinese Exclusion era.
The project will be developed as a historical drama in both feature film and limited series formats.
The story centers on the Tape family's legal battle for citizenship in 19th-century San Francisco.
The case of Tape v. Hurley affirmed birthright citizenship for children of Chinese immigrants.
- Who
- Neurosphere Entertainment and historian Mae Ngai, whose book is being adapted. Also Joseph and Mary Tape, the central figures in the story, along with their daughter Mamie.
- What
- Neurosphere Entertainment acquired the rights to adapt Mae Ngai's 'The Lucky Ones' into film and TV projects.
- When
- The acquisition happened recently, with development underway.
- Where
- The story is set in the U.S., particularly San Francisco.
- Why
- To tell the story of the Tape family's fight for civil rights and its impact on American citizenship.
Views on Chinese Exclusion and Discrimination
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Systemic Racism
Views on Chinese Exclusion and Discrimination
Acknowledges the systemic racism and discrimination faced by Chinese Americans during the Chinese Exclusion era.
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- Book Title
- 'The Lucky Ones: One Family and the Extraordinary Invention of Chinese America'
- Author
- Mae Ngai
- Production Company
- Neurosphere Entertainment
- Formats
- Feature Film and Limited Series
- Key Case
- Tape v. Hurley
- Subject
- Chinese American Civil Rights