The year is 1942 and it's negro actor Archie Glass' only chance to see his Hollywood dream come true: find a missing white movie star. To do so he must go where there is no white: ma ca, the clubs, pool halls, and back alleys of black Hollywood.

Interview with Writer/Director Detdrich McClure

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I wanted to tell the stories of black people in America that we have not heard before. I am a student of history, who loves old things and old movies. I just thought: wait we were there too, we have a story to tell about that time in Hollywood as well.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

You are going to watch this film and remember it because it will show you something that you have seen many times but from a different side. If you like the classic Hollywood noir, well this is a new take on that, and it will blow your mind.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Though we are telling a specific story about blacks in Hollywood during the 1940s, the motivations of the characters and universal. We all have dreams, we all want to see ourselves reflected in the world, in art, so this is a story for anyone.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

At first, I was very concerned with the plot, what happened and then what happened next. At some point, I really started thinking about WHO these people were, and when I did that the story really took a new life.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

The feedback so far has been great, people like seeing a story that gives a fresh take on something old. The film has a lot of humor as well so people enjoy that.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I have a pretty thick skin when it comes to criticism, that said you have to know that when you put a film out into the world it doesn't really belong to you anymore, it belongs to the audience, so people are going to have their own opinion and I think that's great. The good news is that people have really enjoyed the film, so of course, I'm happy about that.

Down and out in the Dunbar Club (Rasheed Stephens, Lacora Stephens)

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

I think this is the best movie I have ever made, and when you do work you are proud of, you to want it to be seen. I hope people reading this will seek the film out and make it their own.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

I really want journalist, critics and festival directors to embrace this film. Brown Paper Bag is the kind of movie that deserves to be talked about, read about and seen. Someone like me working outside the industry machine really needs word of mouth and writers to champion this film. I remember as a kid watching Siskel and Ebert and I would go see indi films that they recommended just because they said it was good. Journalists have that power and should use it for good. To help support good films.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I want people to walk away from seeing this film and say OH YEAH, BLACK FOLKS WERE IN HOLLYWOOD ALL THEY WAY BACK THEN! COOL!

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

There is a lot to debate or talk about with this movie, what roles were available to blacks back then, who were in control of the industry... People talking after a movie is the best thing, that means it was a good film, that it meant something to the audience.

Would you like to add anything else?

I think that Brown Paper Bag would be a great series. There are a lot more stories to tell about that time. So many characters, it's like a gold mine of unique stories, and all about a time and place that everyone loves, classic Hollywood.

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I'm writing two scripts right now. I really like history so one deals with time travel and the other is a very tight dramatic action film with a female lead. I am also trying to develop Brown Paper Bag into a series.

Interview: February 2020

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

Brown Paper Bag

Length: 1:35

Director: Detdrich McClure

Producer: Detdrich McClure, Lacora Stephens, David Douglas

Writer: Detdrich McClure

About the writer, director and producer:

DETDRICH MCCLURE has been working as an independent director, writing and directing various films. He lives in Los Angeles.

Key cast: Rasheed Stephens

Looking for: buyers, distributors, journalists

Facebook: Brown Paper Bag

Hashtags used: #BrownPaperBagFilm

Made in association with: Knuckle Sandwhich