ABOUT THE FILM...

At its core, Shortness of Breath is an American art film-one that can most easily (and hopefully, favorably) be compared to the early films of Jim Jarmusch. At times, a quirky, deadpan comedy, it is also a tense crime film and an earnest love story. The film displays an interest in characters that exist on the margins of society and a fascination with the beauty of an American landscape.

Equally, Shortness of Breath has roots in the films of the French New Wave, particularly Godard's Breathless, as the title suggests. The New Wave's obsession with film noir combined with its low-budget style and emphasis on location shooting offered a new twist on the American crime film of the 40s. Shortness of Breath is both an homage to the New Wave and an update to this formula.

As a personal and idiosyncratic take on crime films and the "lovers on the run" genre, Shortness of Breath will appeal to both an art film audience and an American Indie film audience. To viewers unfamiliar with the French New Wave, the film offers an engaging story and strong characters. For a more literate audience, Shortness of Breath offers the additional pleasures of wearing its influences on its sleeve.