''Break Every Chain'' is a 2021 American

Christian Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρι ...

biographical drama A biographical film or biopic () is a film that dramatizes the life of a Nonfiction, non-fictional or History, historically-based person or people. Such films show the life of a historical person and the central character's real name is used. The ...

film directed and co-written by Tim Searfoss and based on the

autobiographical novel An autobiographical novel is a form of novel using autofiction techniques, or the merging of autobiographical and fictive elements. The literary technique is distinguished from an autobiography or memoir by the stipulation of being fiction. ...

of the same name by Jonathan Hickory. The film stars Ignacyo Matynia as Hickory, along with

Dean Cain Dean George Cain ( Tanaka; born July 31, 1966) is an American actor. From 1993 to 1997, he played Clark Kent / Superman in the TV series '' Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman''. Cain was the host of ''Ripley's Believe It or Not!'' and ...

and Krystian Leonard.

Synopsis

The following synopsis was written by Jonathan Hickory and can be found on the ''Break Every Chain'' official site. ”Drowning in the depths of depression and sadness, burning with anger, and chained down by alcoholism, Jonathan couldn't do anymore. After the loss of his father as a young boy, facing countless horrific death scenes in the line of duty, and the death of his son, Jonathan turned to the world for answers—finding only darkness. Facing the threat of losing his job as a police officer, the loss of his wife and daughter, and contemplating suicide, Jonathan turns to the only One who can truly save.”

Cast

Production

Development

Hickory first wrote and published the novel in 2018, which detailed his real-life experience as a police officer and the struggles he faced with depression, loss and alcoholism and the eventual redemption he achieved. In 2020, JC Films bought the rights to produce a film adaptation of the novel, in which

would star as Pastor Gabe. Later that year, Krystian Leonard joined the cast as Stacy Hickory, followed by Ignacyo Matynia in the lead role of Jonathan Hickory.

Filming

Principal photography took place in

Bridgeport, West Virginia Bridgeport is a city in eastern Harrison County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 9,325 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Clarksburg micropolitan area. The town of Bridgeport had its beginning in pre-American Revolutionary W ...

and

Shinnston, West Virginia Shinnston is a city and former coal town in Harrison County, West Virginia, United States, along the West Fork River. In 1778, Levi Shinn constructed his log home along what is now Route 19; today it is the oldest standing structure in north-cent ...

throughout the summer of 2020.

Release

The film held its world premiere on February 20, 2021 at the Sun Valley Church in

Tempe, Arizona , settlement_type = City , named_for = Vale of Tempe , image_skyline = Tempeskyline3.jpg , imagesize = 260px , image_caption = Tempe skyline as se ...

, coinciding with the grand opening of an Arizona-based studio facility for JC Films. A distribution agreement was entered wit
Bridgestone Multimedia Group
(BMG) for worldwide distribution on digital platforms and DVD/Blu-Ray—the film released worldwide on streaming on December 7, 2021. The film is also bein
shown as a ministry tool
in churches.

Awards

''Best Inspirational Film''
Prague International Monthly Film Festival
April 2021 ''Best Inspirational Film'', Paris International Film Awards, May 2021 ''Best Inspirational Film'',''
Vegas Movie Awards, June 2021
''Best Actor''— ''Ignacyo Matynia''
Vegas Movie Awards
''Best Inspirational Film''
New York International Film Festival
May 2021 ''Best Debut Filmmaker for Feature Film''—''Tim Searfoss''
Uruvatti International Film Festival
2021 ''Best Inspirational Film'',''
Falcon International Film Festival
London, UK, 2021 ''Best Actor''— ''Ignacyo Matynia''
Falcon International Film Festival
London, UK, 2021 ''Best Inspirational Film''
Los Angeles Film Awards
2021 ''Best Director''— ''Tim Searfoss''
International Police Awards Art Festival
Florence, Italy, 2021 ''Best Actor''— ''Ignacyo Matynia''
International Police Awards Art Festival
Florence, Italy, 2021 ''Best Soundtrack''
International Police Awards Art Festival
Florence, Italy, 2021 ''Best Film'', Tampa Bay Motion Picture Industry Professionals, Tampa Bay , FL 2021 ''Best Feature Film''
Christian Family Film Festival
2021 ''Best Feature Film; Festival Award Winner''
Great Lakes Christian Film Festival
2021 ''Best Actor''- ''Ignacyo Matynia''
Canadian International Faith and Family Film Festival
''Best Supporting Actor''-

, Green Mountain Christian Film Festival ''Best Picture'', Green Mountain Christian Film Festival ''Best Actor''- ''Ignacyo Matynia'', Green Mountain Christian Film Festival ''Best Director'' Runner-up- ''Tim Searfoss'', Green Mountain Christian Film Festival ''Best Film''
Salty Earth Film Festival
''Best Film''
UK Christian Film Festival
''Best Cinematography'', UK Christian Film Festival ''Best Inspirational Feature Film'', Nieves International Christian Film Festival ''Best Picture''—3rd place, International Christian Film Festival
ICFF

References

External links

Official site
* {{IMDb title, tt13352838 2021 films 2021 biographical drama films 2021 independent films American biographical drama films American independent films Films about Christianity Films about fear Films about police officers Films about religion Films about depression Films about suicide Films about God Films about alcoholism Films about post-traumatic stress disorder Films based on American novels Films based on autobiographical novels Autobiographical films Drama films based on actual events 2020s English-language films 2020s American films