An international film about Pierette Simpson's harrowing survival of the Andrea Doria shipwreck will premiere at the Detroit Institute of Arts Detroit Film Theater on October 6, 2016. Pierette Domenica Simpson produced the film, Andrea Doria: Are the Passengers Saved? to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the catastrophe on June 25, 1956.

Program speakers include the film's director, Luca Guardabascio of Rome; Consul of Italy Maria Luisa Lapresa; and State Representative Anthony Forlini. Legendary composer, Mike Stoller, will be the evening's featured guest and performer. He and his late partner Jerry Leiber (leiberstoller.com) wrote over 20 songs for Elvis Presley. The duo impacted the evolution of music during their 60-plus years of writing and producing multi-genre, crossover hits such as "Hound Dog," "Stand by Me," "Love Potion #9," and "On Broadway," and "Kansas City." Their innovative addition of a string section to Rhythm & Blues inspired the era of Soul music, including the Motown sound.

"I'm planning to leave next week for the Detroit premiere of an amazing new film, Andrea Doria: Are the Passengers Saved?" says Stoller. "It has special meaning for me as I am also a survivor of the tragic sinking of the Andrea Doria. Pierette asked me to be interviewed for the film and to contribute some music to the soundtrack. I'm looking forward to this event very much."

In addition to Pierette Simpson, six other Andrea Doria survivors will be present: Germaine Donofrio Strobel, Ugo Boccarossa, Ada DiFabio, Mike Stoller, Dr. Frank Vicini, and his sister Marina Pokriefka. Historic guest, lifeboat #1 of the Andrea Doria, fully restored, will be displayed outside the film theater, and its owner Mark Koch will be present for expert information both Thursday and Friday, October 6-7. The event will feature a duo guitar performance by film composer Nick Canzano of Livonia and master guitarist Peter Tolias.

The producer, director, set photographer, principal actors and crew will be available for media interviews between 4:30-5:30 p.m. at the Detroit Film Theater.

EXCITING UPDATE: The Italian Parliament of Rome has invited the film to be screened at the Parliament in November.

Andrea Doria: Are the Passengers Saved? was filmed in Ferndale by Tri-Omega Productions and M-1 Productions, with Matt Peach as director/assistant producer. Other scenes were shot in the Dearborn home of Richard Haskin, the film's Still Photographer, in Italy and the US.

The movie uses vivid dramatizations of Pierette's immigration, her nightmare on the Atlantic, her survival of the shipwreck with her grandparents, and her arrival in the New World. It includes interviews with maritime experts, survivors, and divers, along with astounding archival footage of the catastrophe that killed 51 people.

Please click here to watch the 3-minute trailer.

The Royal Starr Film Festival of Royal Oak has chosen Andrea Doria: Are the Passenger Saved for official public screening on Friday, October 14, at 5pm at the Emagine Royal Oak, located at 200 North Main Street, Royal Oak.

Andrea Doria: Are the Passengers Saved is based on Pierette's critically acclaimed book, Alive on the Andrea Doria!: The Greatest Sea Rescue in History. Simpson has appeared on American and Italian documentaries and on CBS Sunday Morning. She is interviewed frequently for radio, TV, and print publications that include The New York Times.

Tickets are available online at DFT: www.dia.org/dft, at DIA box office at 313-833-4005, or at the event. Attendees can meet the cast and crew at an Afterglow reception. Attire is business casual, cocktail, formal.

For contributions to the project, please visit www.AndreaDoriaMovie.com

For more film information, screenings, interviews, and sponsorships, Pierette can be reached at www.AndreaDoriaMovie.com