We were lucky enough to line up a video chat with filmmaker Abi Damaris Corbin, who has made her first feature film as director with true-story drama BREAKING, led by John Boyega.
The film tells the true story of U.S Marine veteran Brian Easley (Boyega), a man living in a cheap motel in Atlanta and separated from his wife and child. Desperate and pushed to the brink, the soft-spoken and kind man decides to go into a bank and hold hostages with a bomb. As the police and media descend on the bank and Brian, it becomes clear he’s not after money – he wants to tell his story and have what is rightfully his, even if it costs him his life.
In the interview above, I talk to Abi about working with a fantastic cast (including the late Michael Kenneth Williams); her familial connection to the issue that Brian wanted in the spotlight; her reaction to the pivotal article on Brian, written by Aaron Gell; writing the screenplay alongside Kwame Kwei-Armah; and crafting the film during peak COVID limitations.
‘BREAKING’ IS AVAILABLE TO RENT AND OWN ON ALL MAJOR DIGITAL PLATFORMS FROM APRIL 5th.