Mo, a practicing Muslim living in West Hollywood, 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.

Interview with Writer/Director Mike Mosallam

Watch Breaking Fast on Prime Video

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Thank you! This film was made out of the need for more representation in both the Muslim and LGBTQ+ archetypes. It was important for me to show a version of the world that was real to me and my friends. These two identities tend to not live in harmony, and it was important to show a world where the intersectionality between the two wasn't in conflict.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

Because you love a good Rom-Com, because you love to laugh, because you love watching interesting stories. And truly, because it's something you've never seen before.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

I believe the more specific and authentic a theme is, the more people will identify with it and thus make it feel universal.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

The feature script was developed from our short film of the same name. It went through incredible iterations. I had a terrific partner in the development of this film, producer Seth Hauer, who read and gave me specific and thorough notes on every draft. I couldn't have done it without him.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

The feedback has been OVERWHELMINGLY positive. Both screenings have had consistently uproarious laughter, tears, and lots of feel-good moments. I'm beyond grateful that audiences are responding this way to the story. But, above all that, hearing from queer people, mostly men, mostly Muslim, who finally feel seen on screen means more to me than anything. Their kind words make it all worthwhile.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

It's just overwhelming and validating. I hope we get to share this film far and wide.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

Making more people aware of it, having people attend upcoming screenings, following us on social platforms and supporting the film if/when it comes out.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Distributors, film festivals, audiences - welcome, enjoy, be our friends!

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I'd love it to open people up to the discussion of humanizing the experience of people of faith who are a part of the LGBTQ community.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

What are your inherent biases around the LGBTQ community? Around a community of faith followers?

Would you like to add anything else?

Thank you, We Are Moving Stories, for including us!

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

A musical and our next feature film :)

Interview: March 2020

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

Breaking Fast

Length: 1:31:00

Director: Mike Mosallam

Producer: Seth Hauer

Writer: Mike Mosallam

About the writer, director and producer:

MIKE MOSALLAM is a producer, director, writer for the theatre, film and television. Through his production company, Mike Mosallam Productions (www.watchmmp.com), he and his team produced short films: Breaking Fast (Cannes Film Festival) and Brothers (11-time Jury & Audience Award Winner), both written and directed by Mike, along with the upcoming Ubuntu. His feature film debut, Breaking Fast (based on the short) premiered at the Cinequest Film Festival in March 2020 and Outfest Fusion in Los Angeles. He is the creator and Co-Executive-Producer of the critically-acclaimed TLC series, All-American Muslim.

SETH HAUER currently works in development at Alan Poul’s company Boku Films. He most recently wrapped Season 6 of the Emmy-winning show Girls. Prior to HBO, he worked for MGM, coordinating production on the studio side for shows such as Teen Wolf and Vikings. Prominent in Hauer’s other TV work was his involvement in Codes of Conduct, a HBO six-hour limited series helmed by Academy Award winner Steve McQueen, as well as his development in the Tales of the City reboot for Netflix. He was an Associate Producer on HBO’s Looking, which was recognized by GLAAD, GALECA, and won a NewNowNext Award.

Key cast: Haaz Sleiman (Mo), Michael Cassidy (Kal), Amin El Gamal (Sam), Rula Gardenier (Mama)

Looking for: distributors, journalists, film festival directors, buyers

Facebook: Breaking Fast

Twitter: @mikemosallam

Instagram: @breakingfastfilm

Hashtags used: #ramadan #romcom #arab #muslim #lgbt+ #queer

Website: www.breakingfastfilm.com

Other: IMDb

Made in association with: Mike Mosallam Productions, Habal Productions, Minutehand Productions

Funders: Private investors

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? qFlix/Philadelphia - March 29th, 2020; Phoenix Film Festival/Phoenix - April 4th and 5th 2020.