Unbreaking
In Select Theaters
Written, Directed & Produced by
J. Andrew
Executive Producers
J. Andrew
Stiven Olivares
Producers
Ryan LaLonde
Philly Lasiter
Chris Moody
Luke Powell
Micaela Presti
Lynn Riordan
Associate Producers
Randy Clay
Harold Cottman
Grishma Kalote
Roberto Novoa
Co-Producers
Scott Boswell
Vishnu Prasad
Mandy Schnatter
Starring
FARBER MOODY-LALONDE
TERYN MACALLAN
COPNEY TOLER
GRANT POLICAR
DJ Tinaz
Production Designer
Cliff Chapital
Director of Photography
Marilyn Flores
Year
2024
Official Movie Poster
Tagline
Some bonds are unbreakable.
Logline
An otherworldly child finds healing and a new best friend through the Japanese art of Kintsugi.
Watch the Trailer
Now Showing
Coming soon to a theater near you
Unbreaking is working its way through the film festival circuit, and we will let you know when the film next screen.
We are so excited to be able to bring this film audiences at festivals around the world. It’s been more than two years since we began pre-production, and we are thrilled with the film’s reception so far. Our film community has been so supportive throughout this film’s journey, and we are excited to take the film on the road.
In addition to supporting the festivals where the film will screen, we hope you will consider supporting the film by backing this project. Even though the film is complete, we still have ongoing expenses related to distribution and other big bills related to this production.
About this film
The story of a mother’s love for her child
Unbreaking is a delicate slice-of-life film that at its heart is about a mother’s love for her child, and her efforts to help them heal from a recent trauma.
Through the Japanese art of Kintsugi—the art of repair—Ollie learns how to use art as a means to find healing. This uplifting tale serves as the “origin story” for the character of Ollie who is the main character in a feature-length script who, in Pretty Broken People, helps Perry find ways to heal his own trauma and find a path to recovery and a better life.
Though we have completed filming and post-production, we still have unpaid bills related to the film’s completion. We hope you will consider supporting this truly independent film by making a donation to the project.
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Join the team of award-winning writers, directors and producers on Unbreaking.
Meet the Characters
Ollie
FARBER MOODY-LALONDE
As a gender non-binary child on the Autism spectrum, Ollie has quirks, but a recent traumatic experience has left them feeling profoundly unsafe. Ollie dresses in a way to cover up every part of his skin, and they have reverted to non-verbal communication. This is the story of how Ollie makes a new friend and learns new ways of communicating that give their mother reason to hope.
Jeremy
TERYN MACALLAN
Jeremy is a gentle soul who treats Ollie like a true, fully-formed person. His inviting nature makes him a good balance to Ollie’s shy, reserved, quirky ways. Jeremy is entirely without judgment. Through a practice of Kintsugi, Jeremy delicately brings Ollie just a little bit out of their shell.
This is the beginning of a lifelong friendship.
Siobhan
COPNEY TOLER
Siobhan recently lost her husband (Ollie’s father) in a traumatic way—one witnessed by Ollie. As a loving mother, she is struggling with how to reach her child who has retreated to an inner world. Ollie no longer speaks, and is terrified of having his skin uncovered. Siobhan wants Ollie to feel safe and find ways of expressing himself.
This is the story of a mother’s love for her child.
Ryan
GRANT POLICAR
Ryan is Ollie’s therapist. He’s been working with this family for years, and has established a good rapport with both Siobhan and Ollie. We meet Ryan on a house call in the weeks after the funeral of Ollie’s father. Ryan is sensitive not to try to push Ollie—or Siobhan for that matter—past their limits and suggests art therapy for Ollie.
About the film
The Pretty & Broken Cinematic World
Acclaimed film director Todd Solondz created a fantastic and quirky story world across six of his films—Welcome to the Dollhouse (1995), Happiness (1998), Palindromes (2004), Life During Wartime (2009), and Wiener-Dog (2016). Like Solondz, where some of the same characters appeared in (or were referenced in) his films, I intend to construct the Pretty & Broken Cinematic World where these diverse and quirky characters will reside.
1. Unbreaking is the first film in the chronological timeline of this world, and the second film to wrap production. It is an intimate portrayal of both grief and resilience, telling the story of the intrepid young person, Ollie, and how they start to become the person we know them as in Pretty Broken People.
2. Pretty Broken People was actually written before any of the other stories in this timeline, but it remains a script in development. PBP follows Perry Lockhart on his journey of recovery, and his unlikely friendship with Ollie as they go on late-night adventures in San Francisco. If you are interested in helping bring this story to the big screen, please say hello!
3. The Business of Hope tells the story of the wonderful and dynamic characters who inhibit an inpatient mental health and addiction treatment facility. While Perry, a fictional character, makes a brief appearance at the beginning of the film, The Business of Hope is based on the true story of a trans woman and former Blood gang member who finds a way to become who she was always meant to be.
4. Here For Now was produced and released in 2022, after two years of development and production. It explores what happens in the aftermath of an individual’s self-destructive choices. Learn more about this award-winning story here.
5. Let the Man Play is the final chapter within the Pretty & Broken Cinematic World and tells the story of Perry’s father who finds love in an unexpected place in the twilight years of his life.
About the Director
I am an award-winning film director, writer, producer and production designer based in San Francisco. After a successful career in photography and advertising, I decided to go back to school to study film. In 2021, I graduated summa cum laude from City College of San Francisco with an Associate’s degree in Film, Television & Electronic Media, and a Certificate of Achievement in Directing. I earned my BA in Cinema Production at San Francisco State University's School of Cinema.
Behind the Scenes
Behind-the-scenes production photos from the making of Unbreaking.
