At the heart of the Dances with Films festival in Hollywood lies a gem of indie cinema — “Two Lives in Pittsburgh.”
The film, directed by Brian Silverman, provides a poignant and necessary exploration of identity, acceptance, and the conflict within.
A single father, trapped in his traditional, blue-collar identity, is brought face-to-face with a reality that he finds difficult to grapple with. His child, Maddie, beautifully portrayed by trans actress Emma Basquez, is exploring her gender identity. This struggle, the negotiation between the person the father has always been and the person he needs to become to support his child, forms the crux of the narrative.
The film, set in the heart of Pittsburgh, is Silverman’s tribute to his home city. He chose to narrate this important story against the backdrop of a city that he has experienced intimately. Pittsburgh, with its unique blend of imperfections and charm, allowed Silverman to tell a story that is as authentic as it is moving.
Silverman, a former actor and an alumnus of CSUN, has artfully drawn inspiration from the narrative style of “Kramer vs Kramer.” There’s an echo of Dustin Hoffman’s transformative journey in Silverman’s storytelling. He explores themes of people feeling stuck in societal molds and the human quest for identity.
Writing “Two Lives in Pittsburgh” was a journey in itself for Silverman. From initial drafts exceeding 160 pages to a focused final script, the writing process was intensive and iterative. Yet, Silverman’s unique approach to his craft, including writing sessions in the dugouts of baseball fields, added a distinct flavor to the story.
The casting process, which Silverman undertook independently, was instrumental in achieving the authenticity that the film radiates. By casting trans actress Emma Basquez as Maddie, Silverman has allowed for an honest representation of the trans experience.
Shot on a Fuji full-frame camera, the film has a unique visual appeal. This was Silverman’s first venture as a writer and director, but his collaboration with a new Director of Photography, Tiffany Murray, led to a seamless execution of the film’s visual narrative. The two had a synergistic partnership, carving out a look book and educating each other on lenses and movements.
The task of directing oneself in a film can often be daunting, and Silverman acknowledges this challenge. Yet, with the support of his team and producer, he navigated the dual responsibilities with skill and sensitivity.
Following its premiere, a Q&A session with Silverman, Basquez, producer Lola Noh, cinematographer Murray, and editor Miguel Amodio offered audiences an insider’s view into the making of the film. Each anecdote, each insight served to deepen the understanding of the film’s core themes and the intent behind its creation.
“Two Lives in Pittsburgh” is an emotional exploration of identity and acceptance. Through its characters, it underscores the complexities of navigating societal norms and prejudices, while at the same time highlighting the need for love, understanding, and acceptance.
At a time when headlines around the world are dominated by polarizing discussions around gender issues and culture wars, the film serves as a beacon of empathy. By inviting viewers to confront their biases, it fosters a culture of acceptance. As Silverman rightly says, the film hopes to enable the viewer to connect “to the journey of a person confronting their own biases to accept with love and understanding something they always looked at with enmity and suspicion.”
The narrative landscape of “Two Lives in Pittsburgh” is as layered and diverse as the city it’s set in. It is a testament to the power of empathy, acceptance, and the transformative power of understanding.
Written by jAN-dAVID sOUTAR.