A survival action thriller due to start filming this summer has been written by Ramsgate residents James Kermack and Gary Wright.
Breathe Deep, which will feature Michiel Huisman (Game of Thrones, Rebel Moon), Ingrid Torelli (Late Night With the Devil) and US TikTok star Avani Gregg, is the second joint project for author Gary and film director and writer James.
It is produced by Featuristic Films (Silverback, Salvable, Cold Meat) and international sales are being coordinated by Cornerstone Films (Sting, Hampstead, Amy). James is also directing the movie.
Breathe Deep tells the story of exploration influencer Addy Frost (Torelli) who, 13 years after witnessing her father’s death by a shark in the Devil’s Triangle, returns to the fateful site wearing a replica of her dad’s vintage diving suit, only to face a deadly battle against a great white shark, a mysterious killer, and her own fears.
Cornerstone’s Alison Thompson and Mark Gooder said: “The film is uniquely positioned to engage the next generation of moviegoers while delivering a commercially dynamic and visually stunning experience.”
Dad-of-two Gary, who is due to release his latest novel, Into The Fire, this June, and James, who founded Featuristic Films with his business partner Julien Loeffler in 2016, met when James moved to the isle from London.
James, who lives in Ramsgate with his wife and two daughters, bought a drink from Gary when he owned the Coffee Shack on the seafront and they have since become regular collaborators on various projects.
These include the television adaptation of Gary’s debut novel, After The Storm, which is currently in development. That book is the first in a series set in a coastal town called Beachbrook and featuring characters including DS Sue Willmott. Gary has recently signed a new deal for books three and four with Avon Books.
James’ previous credits as a writer and director include the IFTA nominated Knuckledust, Netflix global Top 10 hit Cold Meat, and the upcoming feature documentary Art of the Jump, which tells the story of parkour pioneer Sebastien Foucan (Casino Royale). He also has acting experience in shows such as Chernobyl (HBO), Doctor Who (BBC), Cucumber (Ch4) and films including Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (Dir: Tim Burton).
The pair say they share “an unspoken understanding of each other’s style and tone that lets them craft detailed drafts at lightning speed.”
The duo can often be found in Ramsgate’s coffee shops, laptops open, buzzing with energy as they trade ideas, refine concepts, and build on each other’s vision. Breathe Deep is just the latest chapter in what promises to be a creative journey for the pair.
Principal photography on Breathe Deep is set to be shot on the Mediterranean Sea.
Atomic Arts (Alien: Romulus, Nosferatu) will oversee visual effects on the film with Halo Post (The Brutalist, Return to Silent Hill) on board for postproduction. The film’s technical team includes underwater cinematographer Denis Lagrange (Point Break, Dark Tide) and composer Walter Mair (Squid Game, The Bricklayer).
