Per Deadline, Bron Studios have acquired the rights to JJ Bola‘s recently released novel The Selfless Act Of Breathing and plan to turn it into a feature film. Playwright Keenan Scott II will adapt the book for the screen.
The novel follows Michael Kabongo, a British-Congolese teacher living in London on the cusp of two identities. On paper, he seems to have it all; he’s beloved by his students, popular with co-workers, and the pride and joy of a mother who emigrated from the Congo to the UK in search of a better life.
But behind closed doors, he’s been struggling with the overwhelming sense that he can’t address the injustices he sees raging before him – from his relentless efforts to change the lives of his students for the better, to his attempts to transcend the violence and brutality that marginalizes Black men around the world.
Then he suffers a devastating loss, and his life is thrown into a tailspin. He decides to spontaneously pack up and go to America, imagining everything will be better. Once there, he parties with new friends, sees sparks fly with new romances, splurges on big adventures, all with the intent of living life until the money in his bank account runs out.
Bola said of his book getting adapted: “The Selfless Act Of Breathing being brought to the screen is incredibly exciting for me. Film is such a powerful tool of transformation, and the possibility of telling this timely, poignant story, at a time like this in the world, fills me with hope. I want to thank everyone who has believed in this story from the beginning, my agency, and the team at Bron.
I thank my readers and I look forward to reaching a new audience, via a new medium, and helping us all — which is the reason I wrote this novel — to remember that no matter how we feel, we are not alone.”
Scott is a New York playwright whose recent play Thoughts Of A Colored Man opened to rave reviews. He’s been a self-published poet since age 18. Bron chairman and CEO Aaron L. Gilbert will produce for the studio, and said in his own statement:
“We could not be prouder to be a part of bringing JJ Bola‘s profound novel to the screen. We were immediately captivated by his words and believe this book has the ability to reach and unite readers across all borders and walks of life.
Keenan’s voice blew us away and he is the perfect person to entrust with this material. We are very excited and honored to support this type of storytelling.”
Bron Studios recently released Denzel Washington‘s A Journal For Jordan, and their upcoming slate of films include Nate Parker‘s Solitary, slasher film X, and drama Surrounded starring Letitia Wright, Jamie Bell, and the late Michael K. Williams in one of his final performances.
#Peace.Love.TheSelflessActOfBreathing
