Bron Studios has acquired the film rights to JJ Bola's freshly released novel The Selfless Act of Breathing, which will be developed into a feature-length film.
Keenan Scott II (Broadway's Thoughts of a Colored Man) will adapt the play for the big screen.
The Selfless Act of Breathing follows Michael Kabongo, a British-Congolese teacher in London who is torn between two identities. On the surface, he appears to have it all: He's adored by his students, well-liked by his coworkers, and the pride and joy of a mother who came from the Congo to the United Kingdom in quest of a better life. But, behind closed doors, he's been suffering with the overwhelming feeling that he can't redress the injustices he sees raging in front of him — despite his tireless efforts.
Then, one day, he suffers a heartbreaking loss, and his world is turned upside down. Michael chooses to pack his belongings and travel to America, where he believes everything will be better and easier — a location where he can reinvent himself, someone without a painful background. There, he celebrates with new acquaintances, sparks new romances, and splurges on large trips, all with the intention of living life to the fullest until the money in his bank account runs out.
"The Selfless Act of Breathing being brought to the screen is really amazing for me," Bola said. Film is such a powerful vehicle for reform, and the prospect of delivering this vital, emotional story at such a critical juncture in the world gives me hope.
I'd like to thank everyone who has supported this tale from the start, including my agency and the Bron team. I thank my readers and look forward to reaching a new audience through a new media and reminding us all — which is why I wrote this work — that we are not alone, no matter how we feel."
Bron chairman and CEO Aaron L. Gilbert will produce on behalf of the studio, with Jared Kramer and Katia Washington overseeing the project on a daily basis and Story Collective's Ryan Busse and Stephen Meinen producing.
"We couldn't be more thrilled to have been a part of bringing JJ Bola's remarkable novel to the big screen." His charisma captivated us right away.
