Last night, Pro-Ject attended the first major screening of the film “Driving While Black” at The El Ray Theater in Los Angeles. It’s a comedy, but one about real issues that are really relevant. The film includes a stellar score, with music by Stones Throw artists Peanut Butter Wolf, Dam Funk and more. LA music legends Peanut Butter Wolf and Houseshoes spun a deep set after the premier as well, to cap off the night.
This true indy film was written by and stars Dominique Purdy (with Paul Sapiano), and represents a thread that runs through the story of his life. His main character depiction, like Dominique, is a pizza delivery guy and an artist just trying to support himself in LA. Oh yeah, he’s also an underground Hip-Hop artist who goes by the name of, and we quote: The Koreatown Oddity. The film chronicles his run-ins with authorities, and experiences with racial profiling, and how it weaves throughout his life. The method of telling this story though, is thoroughly hilarious. Gut-busting, really. After being bombarded daily by the causes and effects of the issues that this film explores, it’s nice to see comedy being used to jar us, and make us think and talk about them in a completely new way.
The theater was packed with a bubbling Los Angeles crowd, and representation by the family and friends of the makers of the film was fully apparent. This made the premier a very unique and special event, which is a soft spot for us here at Pro-Ject. While the support for this film is a family affair, the production and execution does not come off as makeshift by any means. This is a tight comedy, an official film, and officially important.
Check out the trailer above, and support this rare comedy.
Visit the Driving Wile Black website