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The Breakdown

After a job goes wrong, thieves Tommy and Jack find themselves heading South, on the run. With no real idea where they're going, their hopes rest on things dying down as they lay low, until their car breaks down in the middle of nowhere. Now stranded, their hopes lessen until a passer-by offers a helping hand, and as the pair continue to get to know this stranger, they soon realise they're more connected to him than they thought. With this unexpected encounter, Tommy and Jack come to understand that they're not only on the run from the law, but also their past.

  • Matthew Pate
    Director
  • Matthew Pate
    Writer
  • Anna Piggott-Reeves
    Producer
  • Matthew Pate
    Executive Producer
  • Luke Lawrence
    Executive Producer
  • Matthew Pate
    Key Cast
    "Jack"
  • Ollie Roddy
    Key Cast
    "Tommy"
  • H.C.A. Taylor
    Key Cast
    "Samuel"
  • Jasdeep Shoker
    Additional Cast
  • Luke Lawrence
    Director of Photography and Camera Operator
  • Lewis Anthony Smith
    First Assistant Director
  • M. Ra'ees Hamir
    First Assistant Camera
  • Renée Ahmed
    Second Assistant Camera
  • Anna Piggott-Reeves
    Second Assistant Camera
  • Jack Ansloos
    Sound Recordist
  • Lewis Malin
    Sound Recordist
  • Lewis Anthony Smith
    Sound Recordist
  • Luke Lawrence
    Editor, Colourist, Sound Mixer
  • Lewis Malin
    Gaffer
  • Oliver Butler
    Art Director
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Crime-Thriller, Drama
  • Runtime:
    17 minutes 45 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 29, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    300 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Screen and Film School Birmingham (BIMM)
Director Biography - Matthew Pate

Matthew Pate is a British actor who has portrayed lead and supporting roles in numerous award winning and award nominated short films. Although acting is his primary focus, he has also had experience in both writing and directing.

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Director Statement

This film centres around the theme of not being able to outrun your past and eventually having to face it, a universal theme which I believe we can all relate to one way or another.

'The Breakdown' carries with it a simple yet interesting story which poses the question, and was heavily inspired by, what you would do if your past was standing directly in front of you, and offers a thought provoking message about letting your emotions get the better of you.

Being one of the projects I am most proud of having made, this film will always stand as a special achievement and moment in my career.