Buffalo 8 has decided to release the technology-driven political thriller PH-1, directed by and starring Mark Kassen, in theaters on April 10th.
In the film, Kassen plays an up-and-coming politician who, according to the film’s synopsis, is “held hostage by an invisible captor, who is forced to fight in real time as social media and traditional media weaponize speculation, fantasy, and viral outrage.” He is forced to watch his reputation crumble. As his public identity is revealed, he scrambles to figure out who is orchestrating the attack and why. The action takes place over one harrowing night in a politician’s luxurious penthouse, hence the title. And although it’s a political setting, “PH-1” is primarily a story about media — about how truth, misinformation, and manipulated narratives can destroy lives.
Abubakar Salim, Dina Shihabi, Vinessa Shaw, and Jesse L. Martin round out the film’s ensemble cast, which opens in limited release in Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C., on April 10th, followed by a North American digital release on major platforms starting May 8th (pre-orders start April 10th on Apple and Fandango at Home).
Buffalo 8, a Santa Monica-based film and media company, acquired domestic rights to the film at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival.
Kassen directed the film from a script he co-wrote with Cheryl Guerriero, and produced under his Like Minds Entertainment banner with Iliana Nikolic, with Julian West serving as executive producer. The actor-turned-director has previously directed “Puncture,” starring Chris Evans, and “Bernard and Doris,” starring Ralph Fiennes and Susan Sarandon, for HBO, and also produced Evans’ “Before We Go.” Mr. Cassen is also co-founder, along with Mr. Evans, of the nonpartisan civic platform A Starting Point.
Check out the trailer for PH-1 below.
