Local filmmaker brings “light” to a “dark” subject in his new film, “Driving While Black.”

PITTSBURGH, PA

(PittsburghNewsWire.com) — Native Pittsburgher, Patrick DiCesare, made his film production debut with his critically acclaimed film, Driving While Black, which is currently on the film festival circuit and playing to packed theaters internationally.  A dark comedy with a socially conscious edge, Driving While Black has won 25 awards at film festivals across the globe and will have its Pittsburgh premiere at the 2016 Pittsburgh Independent Film Festival on Saturday, July 16th at 8:15 pm.

Co-written by DiCesare’s friends, Hollywood director, Paul Sapiano and actor/musician, Dominique Purdy, the film is based on Purdy’s real life experiences, as it shines a new light on an old subject – racial profiling and aggressive behavior within the Los Angeles Police Department.“While this film is set in LA, these things could happen anywhere. It’s an important film with a timely and controversial subject that I’m happy to bring to Pittsburgh audiences,” says DiCesare.  The topical message of the film continues to resonate with audiences everywhere it plays, with engaging Question and Answer sessions after the screening, sometimes lasting over an hour.

Sapiano and Purdy’s intentions are simple, “We just want to put a face on some of the reality of what’s going on for a lot of black men and women around the world,” they both agreed.  The film engages with historical moments of racial profiling for which Los Angeles has been famous, but the true grit of the film centers on Purdy’s personal accounts with the LAPD. At the heart of the film, though, is a comedic tone which keeps the message light, thereby giving the film a wider appeal and allowing it to play to more diverse audiences.

The Father Ryan Arts Center will host the premiere event on Saturday, July 16th at the Pittsburgh Independent Film Festival, and the Red Carpet walk and engagement begins prior to show time.

• Personal interviews with the producer will be available upon request between 7:00 and 8:00 pm on Saturday, July 16th at the Pittsburgh Independent Film Festival at The Father Ryan Arts Center, 420 Chartiers Avenue, McKees Rocks PA 15136.
• At any time prior to the screening, writer/director Paul Sapiano, and writer/lead actor Dominique Purdy are available for interviews via phone or Skype from their homes in Los Angeles.
• Producer Patrick DiCesare is available for personal interviews in the Pittsburgh area or interviews by phone at 724-516-0300 at any time prior to the screening on July 16th.

• Please contact DD Kellington, the film’s publicist for interviews and more information.

Watch the official trailer for the film here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKem1Gf8-x0&feature=youtu.be

Learn more about “Driving While Black” visit the official web site:  DWBmovie.com