EXCLUSIVE: Tracee Ellis Ross (American Fiction) is in production in New York City on Blow the Horn, an indie psychological drama marking the first narrative feature from writer-director Nacho Arenas.
The project is an adaptation of Bajo Terapia, the acclaimed Argentinian play by Matias del Federico, which has previously been adapted by Spanish filmmaker Gerado Herrero. Others in the cast include Wrenn Schmidt (For All Mankind), Dallas Roberts (Monsters), Joshua Boone (A Jazzman’s Blues), Ken Leung (Industry), and Lake Bell (Mother Couch).
Set in contemporary New York, the story follows three couples summoned to a group therapy session with their psychologist, where personal secrets and simmering tensions are exposed. The plot takes a strange turn when the hot shot therapist unexpectedly fails to show up, leaving the couples to confront their issues without guidance.
Watch on Deadline
“I was immediately captivated by Matias’ play the moment I read it and adapting it for the screen was both exciting and daunting,” Arenas told us. “I aspire to tell entertaining and artful stories grounded in truth, and this incredibly talented cast is bringing it to life in ways I could only dream of.”
Jamin O’Brien (Hateship Loveship, Rob Peace) is producing for The Film Community, along with Arenas (All Creatures Here Below) for Planeo Films, and Ross.
A Golden Globe winner and six-time Emmy nominee, Ross is best known for her eight seasons on ABC’s Black-ish and has more recently been seen starring alongside Jeffrey Wright in Cord Jefferson’s Oscar winner American Fiction. Upcoming, she’ll also be seen in the anticipated seventh season of Netflix’s Black Mirror.
Arenas previously helmed the short film Momma (Showtime), as well as Los Ultimos, a documentary about the Spanish Civil War, which was featured in a worldwide exhibit for Fotospaña 2019.
Ross is repped by UTA, Artists First, and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller; Schmidt by Innovative, Greenlight Management, and Peikoff Mahan; Roberts by Stewart Talent and Circle Management; Boone by UTA and Untitled; Leung by Paradigm and Brillstein Entertainment Partners; Bell by UTA, Tavistock Wood Management, and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole; and Arenas by Ryan Goddell at Yorn Levine.