Ceezer Films asks, “Can love exist for interracial couples in a “post-racial society”?

OAKLAND, Calif. - Aug. 15, 2013 - PRLog -- The nearly packed audience at the Hopes Identity premiere screening received the inside scoop on what drove writer, director, producer Christopher Ellis of Ceezar Films to become a filmmaker.   Inspired by his father’s aspirations of a better life his children, Ellis a former Nummi employee, saw the plant closure as an opportunity to live up to his father’s goals and began to take film classes at San Francisco’s Bay Area Video Coalition. Diligently pursuing like-minded goals for his own children, Ellis released his first film Cover at the Oakland International Film Festival last year. His sophomore film Hopes Identity which looks at interracial relationships, opened today at the Grand Lake Theatre in Oakland.

Both Cover and Hopes Identity challenge typecasting; a common theme in Ellis scripts. Inspired by his nephew’s relationship, Ellis looks at the sometimes societal and familial disdain of interracial relationships that Ellis says isn’t fueled by racism but by stereotypes. Through the love of Demarcus Johnson played by Michael Grayson and Cynthia Evans played by Brittany Williams the audience is shown how fragile love in a “post-racial society” can be due to this stereotyping. In one scene Cynthia is introduced to Demarcus’ family and gets more than a friendly hello.  Says actress Jonez Cain (Cover; Basketball 3:16, Fruitvale Station) “I played Gina the prying cousin of Demarcus. She gives the new girlfriend a hard time and a mouth full while Gina’s sister, played by Michelle Grayson, helps get the match started.” The audience resonated with Cain’s character citing in a few questions how recognizable Gina and her sister were in relation to members of their own families and their stance on interracial dating.  Ellis also pointed out that for younger generations society is in a more accepting place.

Ellis plans to show the film again in Oakland on September 7^th in Berkeley, CA and has scheduled screenings in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Monterey, and Sacramento. While thanking his wife Kisha and the cast, Ellis spoke of the importance of showing gratitude. He directed the audience to thank those who have helped paved the way for personal projects. The film was received well by the audience who had many questions for the writer/director and cast. For more information on Hopes Identity visit Facebook.com/HopesIdentity or you can tweet Christopher Ellis directly @TheCeezer.