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3 weeks ago
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EXCLUSIVE: Sound Of Freedom outfit Angel Studios has picked up domestic rights to Rule Breakers (formerly known as Afghan Dreamers), starring Nikohl Boosheri (The Bold Type) and Ali Fazal (Death on the Nile).
A theatrical release is planned for March 2025 of the true story about the first all-girls robotics team from Afghanistan.
Set between 2017 and 2019, Rule Breakers charts the story of a brave Afghan college girl who recruited high school girls to learn robotics – defying fathers, uncles, and tradition to form a highly skilled traveling team. Despite the dangerous backdrop of Afghani politics, the team went on to participate in competitions around the world.
An under-the-radar cast addition is Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag), while supporting talent also includes Fahim Fazli (Superman: Legacy), Waj Ali (Carnival Row), Christian Contreras (Halo: Nightfall), and Nasser Memarzia (Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny).
Bill Guttentag (Soundtrack for a Revolution) directed the feature. Producers include Guttentag, Laura Overdeck, and Samudrika Arora. Ben Rimmer, Elizabeth Schaeffer Brown, and Roya Mahboob serve as executive producers.
“In light of the terrible restrictions being imposed on women in Afghanistan, it’s vital for the world to recognize the individuals behind the veils,” said Jordan Harmon, President of Angel Studios. “The Angel Guild overwhelmingly voted to ensure their stories are told.”
“I was profoundly moved by the true story of Roya Mahboob and the Afghan Girls Robotics team. I felt honored when Roya and our co-writer Elaha Mahboob (Roya’s sister and a character in the film) said that they wanted to work with me to help tell their story,” added director Bill Guttentag.
“Roya and her team is a highly dramatic story, and every day we filmed, we endeavored to capture that drama. Along with Elaha and the rest of our production team and cast, we wanted to create a film that would have an audience connect with the amazing story, while also highlighting the importance of STEM education for girls. We are thrilled to be partnering with the team at Angel Films to tell Roya and her team’s inspiring and powerful story.”
Producer Laura Overdeck commented: “In an era when our teens and tweens need inspiration more than ever, the Afghan girls’ robotics team members show us the power of knowledge, teamwork and perseverance. This is the movie every parent should take their daughter to this year. We’re thrilled to partner with Angel to inspire our young people to drop their phones, think big, and nurture their talents to pursue their dreams.”
Angel is best know for releasing global box office hit Sound Of Freedom, which has made more than $250M at the box office. The company’s model includes a crowdfunding element whereby “375,000 Angel Guild members choose which film and television projects the studio markets and distributes”. The company says “104,000 Angel Guild members in 155 countries have invested nearly $80M in projects distributed by the studio to date.”
