DWP Press Release 9.13.2013-2
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For Immediate Release Contact: Lucinda Winter Minnesota Film & TV [email protected] 612-767-0095 Indie Feature “Dear White People” Currently Shooting in Twin Cities MINNEAPOLIS (September 13, 2013) “Dear White People,” a film described as “a satire about being a black face in a white place,” began shooting on location in Minneapolis last week. As the first feature to be certified through Minnesota’s 2013 Snowbate incentive program, the film will be the first of many film and television projects drawn here by the newly reinvigorated state reimbursement program. With a rebate of up to 25% on qualified MN expenditures, Minnesota takes its place among the top 15 states in the country attracting new production for big and small screens. "Our office was thrilled to jump-start the new Snowbate program by hosting production of ‘Dear White People,’” said Minnesota Film and TV Executive Director Lucinda Winter. "We were competing with Massachusetts for this project and we came out on top because of the availability of a competitive production incentive, plus our fabulous locations." The concept trailer for “Dear White People,” released in June of 2012 quickly went viral and gained the attention of news outlets like CNN and The Washington Post. It has since amassed over 930k hits. Writer/Director Justin Simien sparked thousands of comments with the video and its mission statement: “Remember when Black movies didn't necessarily star a dude in a fat suit and a wig? Or have major plot twists timed to Gospel numbers for no apparent reason? The humble producers of DEAR WHITE PEOPLE…long to bring those days back.” With influences from “Black Art-House” films like “Do the Right Thing” and “Boyz in The Hood,” Simien inspires audiences to think and talk about race from a pointedly contemporary perspective. “Dear White People” follows four black students that attend a predominately white Ivy League school where maintaining one’s identity isn’t easy. The cast includes Tessa Thompson (For Colored Girls, BBC America’s Copper), Tyler James Williams (Everybody Hates Chris, Peeples), Teyonah Parris (Mad Men), and newcomer Brandon Bell, who is also a Minnesota native. Veteran actor Dennis Haysbert (Far From Heaven, 24) also stars. With tongue planted firmly in cheek, the film will explore racial identity in a “post-racial” America while weaving a universal story of forging one’s unique path in the world. Though this is his feature directorial debut, Los Angeles-based Simien spent a number of years working in the marketing and publicity world for major studios such as Sony Pictures, Focus Features, and Paramount Pictures. The producing team also has a strong background in the business. Leading the charge is Producer Effie T. Brown, whose credits include Jane Campion’s “In The Cut,” the award-winning “Real Women Have Curves,” and original series work for YouTube’s WIGS channel. She also produced “The Inheritance”, a feature also shot in Minnesota. Julia Lebedev is an independent producer and owns Code Red Productions (THE GOOD DOCTOR, HONOUR) and has recently built the Hub Los AngelesMedia Lab, a creative and collaborative space for independent filmmakers and content creators. Lena Waithe, also a writer and director has recently partnered with Queen Latifah’s Flavor Unit production company for her new television series, “Twenties.” Ann Le is CFO/COO of Hub Los Angeles working with Lebedev and has international production and development experience with Universal Pictures. Angel Lopez, former Feature Film Development Executive for Participant Media, has overseen over X films. Executive Producer Stephanie Allain is Director of the Los Angeles Film Festival and is credited with launching the careers of seminal filmmakers such as John Singleton (“Boyz in The Hood”) and Craig Brewer (“Hustle and Flow) over the last two decades as an independent producer and studio executive. About DEAR WHITE PEOPLE: Independent film, DEAR WHITE PEOPLE, is a narrative feature written and directed by Los Angeles-based Justin Simien. The story features four black students and their experiences at the fictional, predominantly- white Winchester University, where an “African American”-themed party thrown by white students results in a riot. The satirical and coming of age film explores racial identity in “post-racial” America while weaving a universal story of forging one’s unique path. Following the release of its buzzed-about film trailer in 2012, DEAR WHITE PEOPLE’s appeal stems from a near 1,000,000 hits on YouTube, national and local press and a viral campaign that attributed success to a crowd-funding campaign on IndieGogo, where the $25,000 goal was reached in 3 days. The project made Indiewires’s Project of the Year for 2012, earning the film a place at the Tribeca Film Institute. The film is supported by producing team Effie Brown, Julia Lebedev, Ann Le, Angel Lopez and Lena Waithe with Executive Producers Stephanie Allain and Leonid Lebedev. Website: www.dearwhitepeoplemovie.com Twitter: @dearwhitepeople Facebook: www.facebook.com/dearwhitepeople Minnesota Film and TV is a full-service film commission focused on advancing Minnesota’s economy and enhancing its robust cultural environment by promoting and supporting the state’s digital media industries. .