America Is Still The Place

About the Film

1971 post-civil rights San Francisco seemed like the perfect place for a black Korean War veteran and his family to realize their dream of economic independence. A catastrophic oil spill would not only poison the town, but expose the institutional racism that permeated the world we lived in then.

Great Lakes connection:

Steven Wiig (actor) who plays the role of Dan Wallace in the film was instrumental in the creation of the script and subsequent film. He and the Director are close friends and collaborators. Steven is a native of Negaunee, Michigan, and a member of the Soo Film Festival advisory board.

Cast & Crew:

Directors: Patrick Gilles
Writers: Patrick Gilles
Producers: Bill O'Keeffe
Cinematographers: Bill Holshevnikoff
Composers: Jim Hawthorne, Monophonics
Key Cast: Mike Colter, Dylan Baker, Willie Brown, Steven Wiig, Mark Ford, Emma Caulfield, Mark West, Safiya Fredericks, Lyle Kanouse

Director’s Bio:

"America is Still the Place" is Patrick Gilles's second feature film. After working with Gena Rowlands on "Olive" in 2011, he set his sights on the epic adventure of Mr. Charlie Walker.

Screenings and Awards:

San Francisco Black Film Festival (San Francisco, CA), Opening Night Screening and Winner, Best Feature and Winner, Local Film (June 2015); Accolade Global Film Awards (June 2015), Winner, Best African-American Feature; Capital City Black Film Festival (Austin, TX), Winner, Best Feature Film (August 2015).