Principal photography of the film took place in Manitoba from March to May 2018.Īlthough ‘Breakthrough’ does well to establish itself as a strong Christian movie due to its real-life background, the film otherwise isn’t particularly well made. Producer DeVon Franklin was particularly instrumental in getting the film made, as he helped the Smith family find a literary agent, and eventually develop the book into the film ‘Breakthrough’ after it was published. Currently, John Smith speaks to church groups and banquets, and has plans to become a minister.

Everything is normal, no tell-tale signs”. Post the incident in reality, his father Brian said, “He (John) was back out under his own power. The film follows his parents Joyce and Brian, whose faith in God keeps their hope alive that their son will survive. The central premise of ‘Breakthrough’ arises from the real life incident in early 2015, when Guatemalan teenager John Smith fell through ice on Lake Saint Louise while playing with his friends, ending up in a coma after being rescued by first responder Tommy Shine. Basketball player Stephen Curry serves as an executive producer on the film. Released by Walt Disney Studio Motion Pictures through 20th Century Fox, the film stars Chrissy Metz, Josh Lucas, Topher Grace, Mike Cotler, Marcel Ruiz, Sam Trammel and Dennis Haysbert, with a cameo by contemporary Christian artist Phil Wickham.

Directed by Roxanne Dawnson, ‘Breakthrough’ is a 2019 American Christian drama film based on the Christian novel ‘The Impossible’, an account of true events written by Joyce Smith.

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