DON'T CHOKE: ADVANTAGE NO ONE

Don’t Choke – Now Streaming FREE on Reveel!

Watch here → reveel.film/ppLvEPucEkSTAJi

After a celebrated international festival run, Don’t Choke, the short film written and directed by Sonny Baez, is now available to stream FREE, online. The film has been selected by over 60 festivals worldwide, and has earned numerous accolades across categories including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Editing.

About the Film

Don’t Choke is a 24-minute tragicomedy that reimagines the classic divorce drama. Instead of a courtroom, the battleground is a tennis court—where a divorcing couple plays a literal match for custody of their daughter. The stakes are absurdly high: if the husband wins, he gets custody; if he loses, he never sees his daughter again. As the game unfolds, the crowd drinks, places bets, and debates gender roles, while the daughter watches from the sidelines, slowly realizing the gravity of the situation.

The film explores themes of emotional manipulation, gender dynamics, and the performative nature of conflict. It’s a metaphorical and theatrical take on the collapse of a family, where unspoken frustrations become weapons and spectators become judges.

Director Bio: Sonny Baez (@sonnybaez97)

Sonny Baez is a UK-based filmmaker known for his emotionally charged storytelling and inventive narrative structures. With Don’t Choke, Baez turns a familiar premise into a bold, metaphorical spectacle. His direction balances realism with stylized tension, and his writing invites audiences into the messy, painful truth of fractured relationships. Baez has been recognized with multiple awards for this film, including Best Director at Long Story Shorts Festival and Best Screenwriter at TMFF.

Cast Bios

• Chloe Wigmore (@chloefreckles) as Alice
  Chloe delivers a commanding performance as Alice, the poised and strategic mother whose emotional armor hides deep vulnerability. A classically trained actor, Chloe has appeared in numerous indie films and stage productions across the UK. Her role in Don’t Choke earned her Best Actress honors at Long Story Shorts Festival.
• Mark Rush (@markrush28) as Milton
  Mark plays Milton, the emotionally unraveling father whose desperation mounts as the match progresses. Known for his work in British television and short films, Mark brings a grounded intensity to the role, capturing the inner turmoil of a man on the brink.
• Lottie Lawton (@lottielawton2011) as Lily
  Lottie portrays the couple’s daughter, whose quiet presence becomes a powerful emotional anchor. Her performance is subtle yet deeply affecting, reflecting the silent impact of parental conflict.
• Sean Mulkerrin (@seanmulk) as The Host
  Sean adds a layer of surreal commentary as the match’s host, blending satire with discomfort. His background in comedy and theatre brings a unique energy to the role.
• Alba Casabella (@albacasabella) as Clara
  Alba’s performance adds emotional texture to the ensemble, portraying a character caught in the periphery of the central conflict.

Critical Reception​

• ​IMDb Rating: Don’t Choke currently holds a strong viewer rating on IMDb, reflecting its impact on audiences worldwide.
• The Monthly Film Festival (TMFF)
  Called the film “refreshingly cynical and profound,” praising its “tragicomic approach to the challenges of parenthood” and awarding it Film of the Month in November 2023.
• Filmstrip IFF
  Applauded the film’s “bold and slightly absurd premise” and “compelling performances,” noting its “strong visual style” and “authentic emotional depth”.

Behind the Scenes

The production faced unexpected challenges but was salvaged thanks to the quick thinking and dedication of Thomas Nangle (@t.a.nangle) and Fabricio Brandi (@fabricio.brandi).

Watch Now!

The film is currently streaming FREE exclusively on Reveel: reveel.film/ppLvEPucEkSTAJi

Check out the absurdity of divorce, served cold.

Let the debate begin!

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