Hilfiger moves into film production

Fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger has expanded his empire by going into the film production business.

The New York-based Hilfiger has created a film division to produce Proud, the true story of a World War 11 warship manned by black American sailors.

His daughter Ally Hilfiger is the producer of the film, which stars Ossie Davis, Stephen Rea and Denise Nicholas, reports Daily Variety.

The drama tells the story of the men of the USS Mason, the only crew of black sailors to take a ship into combat, fighting Nazi submarines at sea and racism at home.

“In these times we need our heroes and history had forgotten the men of the USS Mason,” said Hilfiger. “It was such an exciting story and yet hardly anyone knew about it. These men deserve to have their story told.”

The film was shot in Buffalo, New York, on board the USS The Sullivans and in Derry, where the Mason’s first port visit was recreated.