EXCLUSIVE: Shout! Studios has acquired North American rights to the crime thriller Just Breathe, starring Kyle Gallner (Strange Darling), from Motion Picture Exchange and Rockwood Champ. The film will be released later this year.
Marking the feature debut of writer-director Paul P. Pompa III, Just Breathe follows Nick Bianco (Gallner), who plans to rebuild his life and win back the love of his life after a year spent in prison for assault. Upon his release, Nick learns that the target of his affections has another admirer, Chester (Shawn Ashmore), his no-nonsense parole officer. Nick soon finds himself caught in a tense rivalry that threatens not only his second chance at love but also his chance to stay out of prison.
Pic was produced by Pompa III, James Agnew, Cam Cannon, and Rick Dugdale, with David Hillary and Aaron Collins serving as co-producers. Wendy Benge, Ryan Bury, and James Andrew Felts exec produced, with E’myri Crutchfield and William Forsythe rounding out the cast.
In a statement to Deadline, Jordan Fields, Shout! Studios’ Senior Vice President of Acquisitions and Originals, said, “Paul has crafted a taut and tense film anchored by three dynamic performances. Gallner in particular is a lit fuse and it’s exciting to watch him head towards detonation. We’re eager to bring this to audiences hungry for a smart, electric thriller.”
Added Ryan Bury, Senior Vice President of MPX, “Just Breathe is the kind of film that sticks with you — raw, intense, and emotionally complex. Paul has delivered something truly gripping and entertaining. We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Shout! Studios, whose passion and strategic vision make them the perfect home for the film’s release.”
Fields and VP Business Affairs Steven Katz negotiated the deal for Shout! Studios, with Bury repping MPX Films and the filmmakers.
