DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
As we make the choices that create the story of our life, the price of a fulfilled state of mind can come at great cost. To chase our ideal life, and the glory of that existence, is a part of human nature. Our choices lead to our feelings in the present, and the possibility of a more enriched existence in the future. Whether it is familiarity with emotional or physical pain, or unfamiliarity with the warmth of love, life can be both simple and endlessly complex. It is this duality, and the people who have crossed my own life path, that inspired me to craft a story about the passion, devotion, and power of the mind and body.
Breaking Iron tells the story of Jonah, an emotionally stifled immigrant and CEO with a passion for competing in Iron Man triathlons. At a crossroads in his own life, Jonah runs these races in an attempt to run away from decades of emotional blockage, emotional abuse, and personal struggle. His passions for training and competition have become an addiction to stave off the pain of existence. In addition to the soulful eyes of the “Man from Summerland,” this story is inspired by the many inspirational tales of the athletes who compete in the Iron Man Triathlon. They are stories built around the power of the human mind and body and built on a visual language we have not yet seen represented cinematically. Jonah’s quiet nature and busy mind are parts of a character that we can all relate to. We can all relate to the undying search for meaning in our own lives and the habits and behaviors we adopt to overcome our struggles.
The harsh training and the tranquil beauty that encompass the Iron Man competition illustrate strength of mind, body, and soul—elements of existence that are connected to every day life. This part of Jonah’s life provides a reprieve, but he will learn through the story that it cannot be his only escape. He cannot run from his existence, and he will need to conquer his own mind to find the path to a fuller life.
Like Jonah, our own path to fulfillment can be hectic, harsh, and at times destructive. It can also be filled with moments of levity, laughter, and warmth. I hope to take audiences on a journey that encompasses the totality of human experience