The Capitol Arts Center kicks off its South Arts Film Series tonight at 7 p.m. with a free screening of the film “Pushing Dead,” a 2016 dramedy directed by Tom E. Brown, director of shorts such as “Tradesman’s Exit” and “Das Clown.”

Brown describes the film “much more than an AIDS flick.” It follows Dan, a writer who has been living HIV-positive for 20 years. When he receives $100 for his birthday and deposits it, his universal health care plan falls through for earning “too much.” Dealing with the difficulties within the slippery slope of America’s health care system, the film follows Dan’s life’s as it unexpectedly flips upside down.

As for the film’s genesis, it was inspired due to Brown “craving a film without IV bags and skin lesions” and more of a focus on the human experience. With funding by the Rockefeller foundation, he created an innovative story based on his experiences with HIV/AID, and “Pushing Dead” came alive.

Brown is no stranger to Hollywood, where he spent many of his early years working on film. However, as Brown said, he experienced a change of heart midway through his career when he was diagnosed HIV+ in 1985. This is when he says he began to focus more on making peace with his life.

“I was more concerned with having a big career in film, but after spending some time in Hollywood I became disheartened by how it worked,” Brown said. “My focus now is on what makes me happy and healthy.”

His film “Pushing Dead” debuted at the San Francisco International LGBTQ Festival in June 2016 as one of the first AIDS comedies to be produced. The film won various awards including Best Director at the 2016 Orlando Film Festival and the Audience Award at the Seattle Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.

Such cultural films have been heavily engrained into the fabric of Capitol Arts Center as a hub for South Central Kentuckians to be exposed to the arts. Upcoming events at the Capitol Arts Center include a plethora of film nights, two-woman shows, musicals and even an appearance from Brett Michaels.

This screening is a part of the 2017-2018 Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers and begins at 7 p.m. and runs around 2 hours in length. The center is located at 416 E. Main St. Bowling Green, KY, 42101 and parking is complimentary. For more information, call 270-904-5000 or go to http://theskypac.com/capitol-arts-center/.

TRAILER: https://vimeo.com/165190792

Reporter Noah Moore can be reached at (270)745-2655 and [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @noah_moore18.