Director’s
statement
Photo credit: Christian Carroll
In May 2020, along with the rest of the world, I watched in horror as George Floyd was murdered. In the aftermath of Floyd’s death, I spent June and July marching through the streets of NYC. I have been to many protests throughout my life, but the ones last summer were truly cathartic, perhaps in part because most of us were coming out of months of lockdown in small apartments. I decided I wanted to capture this unique and surreal moment in NYC in a film.
An idea came to me to use plot points from Jean-Luc Godard’s 1960 film "Breathless" as a starting point to tell a story about NYC amidst the pandemic and protests. I was interested in the idea of a Black man being both the hero and anti-hero and through his morally dubious action of shooting a white cop (ala Breathless) creating a dialogue that was not binary, in which morals were not black or white, right or wrong. I was also interested in the character of Audrey, a photographer who badly wants to be an "ally", but in the end, finds the limits of her commitment, which seems to be the story of many white activists' relationship with the BLM movement.
With these thoughts in my head, I quickly wrote the first draft, then worked on subsequent revisions with my friend, the amazing Black fashion designer, and producer, Tiia Richardson, as well as with another friend, the actor, Mario C Brown who plays Jean-Michel in the film. My wife Christie O’Loughlin also came on board as a producer and, after writing the script in June and July, we were able to go into production in early September of 2020 when it still looked and felt like summertime in NYC. With the city nearly deserted and many things still shut down, we made the film that you are about to see. I hope you enjoy it.
Writer | Director | Cinematographer | Editor
Christian Carroll
Christian is a filmmaker, photographer, and actor based in Brooklyn, NY. He works professionally as an editorial and fashion photographer, director, and cinematographer across narrative and commercial work. He created and directed the critically acclaimed sci-fi “Suicide or Lulu and Me in a World Made for Two” as well as many short projects. He has recently finished his second feature, “Out of Breath”.
Inspired by the French New Wave and with a passion for Indie filmmaking, Christian’s artistic style is expressive, experimental, and character-driven.
Writer | Producer | Costume Designer
Tiia Richardson
Tiia Richardson grew up in New Jersey, attended undergrad Lafayette College in PA, followed up FIT in NYC. She is a renowned fashion designer and denim expert, having worked for such brands as Marc Jacobs, Kate Spade, and Yellow Man.
She lives in Harlem, NYC, has a passion for social justice and women’s equality, and is thrilled to be a part of Out of Breath.
Executive Producer | Producer | Color Supervisor | Designer
Christie O’Loughlin
Christie is a film producer, photographer, art director, and designer, originally hailing from New Zealand, and now based in Brooklyn, NY.
While very diverse, her aesthetic approach often involves a distinct sense of play, humor, and humanity. Her work aims to elevate every story by capturing its core messaging in fresh, curious, unique visual ways.
Writer | Actor - Jean-Michel
Mario C Brown
Mario C. Brown was born in Brooklyn and raised on the road; after touring as a cellist and competing in football and chess Mario spent almost a decade on stage playing Buddy Lomax in Langston Hughes’ “Tambourines to Glory”, Walter Lee Younger in “Raisin in The Sun”, and Othello in “Othello” among other roles. Now he makes movies and it’s magical.
Actor - Audrey
Christine Spang
Christine Spang was born and raised in Miami, Florida. Spang's mother is Cuban and her father is German and thus attributes her German work ethic but Cuban sass to their influences.
Spang made her acting debut in the 8th grade as Annie. Adorned with a ridiculous red wig and partnered with the most uncontrollable dog, it suffices to say her musical theater aspirations were put to rest, but her hunger for theater was not. Spang decided to pursue a BFA in Drama at Tisch School of the Arts at NYU. There she trained at the Stella Adler Studio and finished her degree at Stonestreet Studios for Film and Television.
Spang now lives in Brooklyn and can eat a burger really well.
Actor - Gus
Jeffrey Grover
Recent feature films include "Two Cents From a Pariah," "Dark Waters," "Cherry," "Galveston," "I Feel Pretty," "Miles Ahead," "Compliance" and "Take Shelter." Jeff's production company, g2h films, produces short films focused on socially relevant subjects and social change. 2020 releases include "Benchwarmers" and "You Go First." Recent television includes roles in "Succession" and "New Amsterdam." He loved playing Gus in "Out of Breath," a very different and quirky character that you just gotta fall in love with, right? Jeff will be starting filming in upstate NY this fall as Kurt in a new feature written and directed by Christoper Carson Emmons, "Post-Truth."
Represented by Ingrid French Management and Boals-Winnett and Associates (NYC). Member of SAG-AFTRA and Actors Equity.