Freestyle Digital Media Welcomes ‘Intrusive Thoughts,’ a Mumblecore Drama by Saumene Mehrdady and Team
Freestyle Digital Media Acquires VOD Rights to ‘Intrusive Thoughts’
Freestyle Digital Media, the digital film distribution division of Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group, has secured video-on-demand (VOD) rights to Intrusive Thoughts, the feature directorial debut of Saumene Mehrdady, known for Tehrangeles and Milkshakes.
The film stars Sarah Chang Tadayon, Alexander Morales, and Angela Barber and is categorized as a "mumblecore drama." It is set to be available for rent or purchase on North American digital HD platforms as well as on DVD starting January 13.
Intrusive Thoughts follows the story of Gabe Torres, portrayed by Morales, a struggling filmmaker who faces turmoil while moving out after a breakup with his girlfriend, Sasha Khosravi, played by Tadayon. A film synopsis highlights that Gabe reflects on his dreams amidst personal chaos, including his therapist, Dr. Martha, succumbing to unethical temptations during their sessions. Concurrently, Sasha’s attempt at a family-arranged date goes awry, leading both exes to confront their futures.
The film is produced by the newly established independent studio HBHK.
“In Intrusive Thoughts, I aimed to explore three dimensions of dissonance in our current moment: the challenge of creativity in a world that increasingly devalues it, the difficulty of love in a transactional society, and the struggle to maintain professional ethics amid personal longing,” said filmmaker Saumene Mehrdady. “This movie is about desire, doubt, and the actions we take when we fear being unseen.”
Freestyle Digital Media negotiated the acquisition of Intrusive Thoughts directly with HBHK and Glen Reynolds of Circus Road Films.
Producer Mehrdad Sarlak boasts an impressive portfolio that includes films such as La Piñata de Marcel (2024), Tehrangeles (2020), and Just Hold On (2020). He also appears as an actor in the Oscar-winning film Argo and the FX series Nip/Tuck. Sarlak is currently serving as executive producer on the upcoming documentary Learning to Survive: A Lesson in Student Homelessness, directed by Kevin Naughton.
Joel Villegas Saldaña, also a producer on Intrusive Thoughts, has credits including Tehrangeles and Cherry and Highland (2013), and directed the short film David Se Va (2023).
Recent releases from Freestyle Digital Media include Allswell In New York, featuring Emmy Award-winning actress Liza Colón-Zayas, All Happy Families, starring Josh Radnor and Rob Huebel, The Ghost Trap with Zak Steiner and Greer Grammer, and the horror-comedy The Zombie Wedding.
