Pushing Dead is Tom E. Brown's debut film, a 2017 American independent comedy drama film written and directed by Brown and starring James Roday Rodriguez, Danny Glover, Robin Weigert and Khandi Alexander.

Pushing Dead follows Dan Schauble (Rodriguez), a struggling writer—HIV-positive for 20+ years— dropped from his health plan for earning too much after he deposits a $100 birthday check. In this new era of sort-of universal care, his only options are long shots: take on a helpless bureaucracy, or come up with $3000 a month to buy his medication.

Additional support/funding was provided by the Sundance Institute/Rockefeller Foundation

Plot

Cast

Starring

Full Cast
ActorRole
James Roday RodriguezDan Schauble
Danny GloverBob
Robin WeigertPaula
Khandi AlexanderDot
Tom RileyMike
Jerry McDanielGregory(Lisa)
Tabitha PaigenKimberly
Jenny O'HaraDan's Mom
Damon KirscheKevin
Mark TruittJim the Ranger
Richard LaGraveneseMugger
Felix JusticeDonnie:
Bob GreeneDoctor Denney
Diana WengDoctor
Kashka BanjokoBody Oil Salesman
Kevin ClarkeCashier
Erika PerezWaitress
Michael SommersStreet Musician
Derrick O'ConnorSidewalk Salesman
Jon CarlsonMan In Line
Lukas SimmonsBear-Mask Kid
Emily PopperBear-Mask Mom
Oshalla DeeNurse #1
Sergio GonzalezNurse #2
Mary FeeleyNurse #3
Gloria WeinstockPharmacist #1[a]
Brady Morales-WooleryPharmacist #2
Beth LisickReceptionist
Bryan NavarroReporter on TV
Carolyn Julia MaloneyNews Anchor on TV
Tina Marie MurrayClerk
David FineClient
Jesse FernandezPaddleboat Guy
Camille WainscoatPaddleboat Woman

[a] Misspelt in film end-credits as 'Parmacist #1'

Release

The film premiered at the Frameline Film Festival on June 18, 2016.

Reception

Awards and Nominations
YearAwarding BodyCategoryClassNomineeOutcome
2016Frameline San Francisco International LGBTQ Film FestivalBest FeatureAudience AwardTom E. BrownWon
2016Cleveland International Film FestivalBest American Independent Feature FilmTom E. BrownNominated
2016Heartland International Film FestivalDramatic FeatureGrand Prize for Dramatic FeatureTom E. BrownNominated
2016Seattle Queer Film FestivalFavorite Narrative FeatureAudience AwardTom E. BrownWon
2016San Francisco Film Critics CircleSpecial CitationTom E. BrownNominated
2016Calgary International Film FestivalBest Narrative FeatureDiscovery AwardTom E. BrownWon
2016Orlando Film FestivalBest DirectorTom E. BrownWon
2016Reel Pride Film FestivalBest FeatureAudience AwardTom E. BrownWon
2017Florida Film FestivalActingSpecial Jury AwardRobin WeigertWon
2017Ashland Independent Film FestivalBest Narrative FeatureAudience AwardTom E. BrownWon
2017FilmOut San DiegoBest Narrative FeatureFilmOut Festival AwardTom E. BrownWon
Best ActorFilmOut Festival AwardJames Roday RodriguezWon
Best Supporting ActorFilmOut Festival AwardDanny GloverWon
2017Roze Filmdagen Amsterdam (Pink Filmdays Amsterdam) LGBT Film FestivalBest Feature FilmJury PrizeTom E. BrownWon
2017Santa Domingo OutFestBest DirectorJury PrizeTom E. BrownWon
2018International Queer Film Festival Playa Del CarmenBest International Feature FilmTom E. BrownWon
Best DirectorJury PrizeTom E. BrownWon

Music

Mark De Gli Antoni is credited with all original music. No official soundtrack or album exists for this film.

Credited songs:
Song titleWriter(s)Performer(s)
Cast Off CrownJohn Dietrich, Satomi Matsuzaki and Greg SaunierDeerhoof
Born Under a Bad SignWilliam Bell and Booker T. Jones Jr.Booker T & The MGs
Red MedallionsBooker T. AverheartBooker T. Averheart
Further AwayDon DeBrauwereDon DeBrauwere
Southern Fried Fun (2nd Movement)Mickey Foster and George A. SalasMickey and The Soul Generation
I Want To Be FreeHarry Krapsho, John Shine, John RaczkaHarry Krapsho
Candle In The WindElton John and Bernard J.P. TaupinMark Degli Antoni
Mexico GringoLaurent Lombard
Old MexicoJason Matthew Savell (ASCAP)Jason Matthew Savell (ASCAP)
CandyFloyd Sydney Newman IIIThe Mar-Keys
Deep TroubleMike FranzmanMike Franzman
Oh, Yes
Second Cuzzin'
Nice Sweater
Passing Lane
Grandpa's Theme
Research

External links