Chicago – After a successful festival run, the film “Breaking Fast” – a heartwarming gay romantic comedy – was released through Video-On-Demand on January 22nd, 2021. One of the key screenings previously was at Reeling, the international Chicago LGBTQ+ film fest, and during that time an actor from Chicago with a vital role, Rula Gardenier, talked about “Breaking Fast” and her move to Los Angeles.
“Breaking Fast” features Haaz Sleiman (”The Visitor”) as Mo, a gay Muslim doctor living in West Hollywood, and whose Mother (Gardenier) and family celebrates his orientation. He tries to resist the charm of Kal (Michael Cassidy), a charismatic non-Muslim he meets at a party and who surprises him by offering to break fast with him during the holy month of Ramadan. Through these two characters, director Mike Mosallam (who directed the 2015 short film on which the feature is based) delves into Muslim-American culture with a tenderness and wit that comes from the heart.
“Breaking Fast” features Haaz Sleiman (”The Visitor”) as Mo, a gay Muslim doctor living in West Hollywood, and whose Mother (Gardenier) and family celebrates his orientation. He tries to resist the charm of Kal (Michael Cassidy), a charismatic non-Muslim he meets at a party and who surprises him by offering to break fast with him during the holy month of Ramadan. Through these two characters, director Mike Mosallam (who directed the 2015 short film on which the feature is based) delves into Muslim-American culture with a tenderness and wit that comes from the heart.
- 1/25/2021
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
"You always spin things in a way that ignores what's wrong." Vertical Ent. has released an official trailer for an indie romantic comedy titled Breaking Fast, the first feature film from filmmaker Mike Mosallam. This premiered at the Cinequest Film & Creativity Festival earlier this year, and also played at the Out on Film: Vancouver Queer Film Festival. Haaz Sleiman stars as Mo, a practicing Muslim living in LA's West Hollywood, who is learning to navigate life post heartbreak. Enter Kal, an All-American guy who surprises Mo by offering to break fast with him during the holy month of Ramadan. The two start to discover they have more in common than meets the eye. Get some! Co-starring Michael Cassidy as Kal, with Amin El Gamal, Patrick Sabongui, Christopher J. Hanke, Rula Gardenier, Veronica Cartwright, and Aline Elasmar. This looks super sweet and amusing, and very much a film capturing life in WeHo.
- 12/17/2020
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Chicago – The 38th edition of Chicago’s Reeling LGBTQ+ fest – virtual and online in 2020 – kicked off on September 24th with the film “Breaking Fast.” Portraying the mother of main character Mo is Rula Gardenier, a former Chicago actor who now lives in Los Angeles. “Breaking Fast” is available for download for Illinois residents through September 27th by clicking here.
Rula Gardenier began her acting career in Chicago, and appeared on stage in several productions, before moving to Los Angeles to pursue the industry there. She made her debut in a short film “The Miracle” (2007) that received notable acclaim, and has appeared on TV’s “Chicago Med,” “New Amsterdam” and “Pearson,” as well as the Hulu miniseries “The Looming Tower.” “Breaking Fast” is her first feature film role.
Rula Gardenier of ‘Breaking Fast’
Photo credit: Gray Talent Group
“Breaking Fast” features Haaz Sleiman (”The Visitor”) as Mo, a gay Muslim doctor living in West Hollywood,...
Rula Gardenier began her acting career in Chicago, and appeared on stage in several productions, before moving to Los Angeles to pursue the industry there. She made her debut in a short film “The Miracle” (2007) that received notable acclaim, and has appeared on TV’s “Chicago Med,” “New Amsterdam” and “Pearson,” as well as the Hulu miniseries “The Looming Tower.” “Breaking Fast” is her first feature film role.
Rula Gardenier of ‘Breaking Fast’
Photo credit: Gray Talent Group
“Breaking Fast” features Haaz Sleiman (”The Visitor”) as Mo, a gay Muslim doctor living in West Hollywood,...
- 9/27/2020
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – Like many of the other film festivals in 2020, the 38th edition of Chicago’s Reeling LGBTQ+ fest will be virtual and online. Over the course of 11 days, 30 features and 54 short films from 21 countries will be presented. Click here for details.
The 30 feature films can be downloaded for four days once they premiere (to Illinois residents only), and the shorts programs will be available throughout the U.S. Virtual Q&As with filmmakers will be available as part of many of the films, see the website for more details.
’Breaking Fast’ Opens the 38th Reeling LGBTQ+ International Film Festival
Photo credit: ReelingFilmFestival.org
Reeling38’s official Opening Night film is the romantic love story “Breaking Fast,” starring Haaz Sleiman (”The Visitor”) as Mo, a Muslim doctor living in West Hollywood, who tries to resist the charm of Kal (Michael Cassidy), a charismatic non-Muslim he meets at a party and who...
The 30 feature films can be downloaded for four days once they premiere (to Illinois residents only), and the shorts programs will be available throughout the U.S. Virtual Q&As with filmmakers will be available as part of many of the films, see the website for more details.
’Breaking Fast’ Opens the 38th Reeling LGBTQ+ International Film Festival
Photo credit: ReelingFilmFestival.org
Reeling38’s official Opening Night film is the romantic love story “Breaking Fast,” starring Haaz Sleiman (”The Visitor”) as Mo, a Muslim doctor living in West Hollywood, who tries to resist the charm of Kal (Michael Cassidy), a charismatic non-Muslim he meets at a party and who...
- 9/24/2020
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – In a spectacular original work, the power of the theater comments upon the inequity of “types” for women performers in the theater and other media. Collaboration’s “Gender Breakdown” is a performance piece on how women are subject to many cattle calls just based on how they look, and how certain women – especially those of color and ethnicity – will not even be considered for roles that involve romance or portraying a lead protagonist, for example…even when doing scene training in college. The stories are direct and authentic, and burst from the hearts of the storytellers. It runs in Chicago through March 19th, 2017 (see link below).
Play Rating: 4.5/5.0
The piece is split into vignettes that “break down” the situations that woman actors are subjected to, both on the highest, lowest and academic levels. The unfairness of it all wears upon the psyche of the women involved, and the showcase...
Play Rating: 4.5/5.0
The piece is split into vignettes that “break down” the situations that woman actors are subjected to, both on the highest, lowest and academic levels. The unfairness of it all wears upon the psyche of the women involved, and the showcase...
- 3/4/2017
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
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