Podtalk: Rula Gardenier of ‘Breaking Fast,’ Available Thru Video-On-Demand, Jan. 22, 2021

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CHICAGO – After a successful festival run, the film “Breaking Fast” – a heartwarming gay romantic comedy – was released through Video-On-Demand on January 22nd, 2021. One of the key screenings previously was at REELING, the international Chicago LGBTQ+ film fest, and during that time an actor from Chicago with a vital role, Rula Gardenier, talked about “Breaking Fast” and her move to Los Angeles.

“Breaking Fast” features Haaz Sleiman (”The Visitor”) as Mo, a gay Muslim doctor living in West Hollywood, and whose Mother (Gardenier) and family celebrates his orientation. He tries to resist the charm of Kal (Michael Cassidy), a charismatic non-Muslim he meets at a party and who surprises him by offering to break fast with him during the holy month of Ramadan. Through these two characters, director Mike Mosallam (who directed the 2015 short film on which the feature is based) delves into Muslim-American culture with a tenderness and wit that comes from the heart.

Rula Gardenier of ‘Breaking Fast’
Photo credit: Gray Talent Group

Rula Gardenier began her acting career in Chicago, before moving to Los Angeles to pursue the industry there. She made her debut in a short film “The Miracle” (2007) that received notable acclaim, and has appeared on TV’s “Chicago Med,” “New Amsterdam” and “Pearson.” “Breaking Fast” is her first feature film role.

In a Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, Rula Gardenier talks about her role in “Breaking Fast,” the issues surrounding the film and being an actor in Los Angeles during the pandemic.

By PATRICK McDONALD Editor, Film Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com