Buffalo 8 Sets Political Thriller ‘PH-1’ for April Release (EXCLUSIVE)
Buffalo 8 has set “PH-1,” a tech-driven political thriller directed by and starring Mark Kassen, for theatrical release on April 10.
In the film, Kassen stars as a politician with a promising future who, a synopsis of the movie explains, is “held hostage by an unseen captor and forced to watch his reputation collapse in real time as social and traditional media weaponize speculation, spin and viral outrage. As his public identity unravels, he races to uncover who is orchestrating the attack, and why.” The action takes place in the politician’s luxury penthouse over the course of one harrowing night, hence the title. And while political in setting, “PH-1” is primarily a narrative about the media — namely how truth, misinformation and the speed at which manipulated narratives can destroy a life.
Abubakar Salim, Dina Shihabi, Vinessa Shaw and Jesse L. Martin round out the ensemble cast for the film, which will open April 10 for a limited run across Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C., followed by a North American digital release on major platforms beginning May 8. (Apple and Fandango at Home pre-orders begin April 10.)
Buffalo 8, the Santa Monica-based film and media company, picked up the domestic rights to the film at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival.
Kassen directed the movie from a script he co-wrote with Cheryl Guerriero and he also produced alongside Iliana Nikolic under his production banner Like Minded Entertainment, with Julian West executive producing. The actor-turned-filmmaker previously directed “Puncture,” starring Chris Evans, and “Bernard and Doris,” starring Ralph Fiennes and Susan Sarandon for HBO, as well as producing Evans’ “Before We Go.” Kassen is also co-founder of the bipartisan civic platform A Starting Point alongside Evans.
Watch the trailer for “PH-1” below:
In the film, Kassen stars as a politician with a promising future who, a synopsis of the movie explains, is “held hostage by an unseen captor and forced to watch his reputation collapse in real time as social and traditional media weaponize speculation, spin and viral outrage. As his public identity unravels, he races to uncover who is orchestrating the attack, and why.” The action takes place in the politician’s luxury penthouse over the course of one harrowing night, hence the title. And while political in setting, “PH-1” is primarily a narrative about the media — namely how truth, misinformation and the speed at which manipulated narratives can destroy a life.
Abubakar Salim, Dina Shihabi, Vinessa Shaw and Jesse L. Martin round out the ensemble cast for the film, which will open April 10 for a limited run across Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C., followed by a North American digital release on major platforms beginning May 8. (Apple and Fandango at Home pre-orders begin April 10.)
Buffalo 8, the Santa Monica-based film and media company, picked up the domestic rights to the film at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival.
Kassen directed the movie from a script he co-wrote with Cheryl Guerriero and he also produced alongside Iliana Nikolic under his production banner Like Minded Entertainment, with Julian West executive producing. The actor-turned-filmmaker previously directed “Puncture,” starring Chris Evans, and “Bernard and Doris,” starring Ralph Fiennes and Susan Sarandon for HBO, as well as producing Evans’ “Before We Go.” Kassen is also co-founder of the bipartisan civic platform A Starting Point alongside Evans.
Watch the trailer for “PH-1” below: