Nationally syndicated radio host Steve Dale describes You’re OUT! as “National Lampoon’s Vacation meets The Hangover with a dog hero.”
Bobbi, a rescued pit bull mix, plays the canine extraordinaire in the feature comedy film. From crashing a wedding to “jumping out of a plane,” Dale says, “Bobbi is the best canine actor since Benji.” Not surprising since she’s owned by actor Maxwell Jenkins (Lost in Space, Joe Bell, and Dear Edward).
Writer Sandy De Lisle says, “We wanted to cast a blocky headed “pit bull” dog to show that all dogs are individuals and have the potential to be family pets.” With so many dogs in shelters looking like Bobbi, De Lisle hopes people will give adoptable dogs a chance at a loving home no matter their appearance.
You’re OUT! follows Rod Browning, a pro pitcher who never made it to the Bigs, as he convinces his best friend to take their sons on an outlandish cross-country road trip to get the boys recruited by a top-tier college baseball team. On the way, they find a homeless dog played by Bobbi and take her along for the ride.
The hilarious and heartfelt film is chock-full of Chicago talent, females in power positions (the director, director of photography, producers, and writer are all women), and actors who are related in real life.
“Being asked to Direct, You’re OUT! was a dream come true,” says Chicago filmmaker Katharin Mraz, Director/Producer. “It hit all the topics I love most: Adoption, Baseball, family dynamics, travel, dogs, and sex positivity.”
Mraz, who was adopted from South Korea, began her career as an actress and production designer, and is known for working both sides of the camera. She recently began directing feature films and commercials at a time when demand for Asian American content (Squid Game, Joy Ride, Everything Everywhere All At Once) is on the rise. She is seeing success with her short film KAD and is in post-production on the feature film Schizolove.
With two more feature films in development, Mraz has big plans for 2024. When asked if she has plans to relocate to Los Angeles or New York, Mraz’ response is always the same, “I’ll work anywhere, but my home will always be Chicago.”
The leads in You’re OUT! are real-life father-son team Edward Kaihatsu and Kenji Kaihatsu. Edward is a high school fencing coach and a part-time actor, and Kenji is a college student with no acting experience. When Covid hit, the filmmakers took a chance and cast this duo in their feature to reduce the risk of exposure during production.
“I’ve done a lot of commercial work, but this was my first time as a lead in a feature film,” the elder Kaihatsu says. “It was an amazing experience, and acting with my son made it that much more memorable.
Marie Adler, CEO of Adler and Associates and the film’s foreign sales agent, says, “Edward Kaihatsu’s outstanding contribution shines bright.”
De Lisle says newcomer Kenji Kaihaitsu “nailed his clueless Spicoli-type character (Fast Times at Ridgemont High).”
The principal cast also includes the real-life husband-and-wife team Shannon Brown (Halloweed, For Hannah, Smothered by Mothers) and Suzette Brown (Finding Hope and For Hannah,), and Kyle Patrick (Chicago Med and A Bennett Song Holiday).
Iconic Chicago White Sox organist Nancy Faust, an MLB Hall of Fame inductee, adds baseball nostalgia to the film with her organ music.
You’re OUT! is distributed in North America by Gravitas Ventures and begins streaming on major platforms on July 28. It’s currently available for pre-order on Apple/iTunes. A Chicago theatrical release is planned for late July.
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