#BrownSugar Loving an Invisible Love: Review of “Middle of Nowhere” with @brown_sugar415
28 November 2012 Brown Sugar
Loving an Invisible Love:
My review of “Middle Of Nowhere”
A few weeks ago I went to see a film twice within the span of week. I was drawn in by the story telling and the cinematography. I was also excited to be supporting the vision of a wonderful sister. So let me start at the beginning. Ava Duvernay (@avatec ) is a filmmaker, she wrote, directed and produced “Middle of Nowhere” the story of a wife’s decision to stick by her spouse even through seemingly insurmountable obstacles. “Middle of Nowhere” stars the beautiful Emayatzy Corinealdi, David Oyelowo, Omari Hardwick, and Lorraine Toussaint.
I saw the tweets about the film and I loved Ms. Duvernay and AFFRM’s (African American Film Festival Releasing Movement) mission to take the film where the people are. Many indie films are hard to find for folks who aren’t art house movie lovers. So AFFRM makes a conscious decision to get their indie films into large chains in urban markets. They also provide additional support and distribution assistance to Indie films. So off to Military Circle Mall (aka Kiliatry Circle) I went on 2 occasions to support. However this was no pity purchase, the film is well written, well-acted and beautifully filmed. Point being it’s wonderful to support but we don’t have to support poor quality products. Duvernay’s film discusses an issue common to many but placed in the wrong director’s hands it would just be another straight to DVD type hood film. However her directorial choices open up the story and allow the actors to flourish and develop the story in true filmmaking form.
So the story? The story, hmmmm. A wife who makes the ill-advised decision to remain in her marriage, loving an invisible spouse. There are a few scenes where Ava Duvernays shoots moments in the wife’s life as if her incarcerated husband is present in her everyday life. They are BEAUTIFUL moments. She is walking alone to the bus stop alone but we see the husband walking holding her hand. The idea reminded me of loving a ghost. I had my mind really made up about how I felt. Long distance relationships for any reason seem like a no-go for me. But it did make me think about women who choose to love spouses who aren’t there. Invisible Spouses- incarcerated, deployed, away on business. Does it matter why the spouse is away? Like if they aren’t there, at the end of the day they aren’t there is my thought. BUT I get it that the idea that if your spouse is “protecting the nation” it must feel better (more socially acceptable even) and in your heart than if they were locked up for “slanging” drugs, guns or the like. But social stigma aside loving an invisible love it tough and only the two people in that relationship know what’s best for them.
I talked to fellow freshians (fresh radio family) about how they felt and it was mixed, but the majority said they couldn’t be in that kind of situation. Some spoke hypothetically but others spoke from experience. Loving invisible spouses is a fascinating topic that I think we’ll explore more in a future Brown Sugar.
But for now check the “Middle of Nowhere” website and if you’re lucky enough to be in a city where it’s showing go SUPPORT. Support not just because it’s a film by a sister, but because it’s a GREAT film by a sister, showing the validity and universality of “our stories”. For film info and showtimes please click and share the link below.
Brown Sugar is written by Angie C @brown_sugar415
Movie Info- http://www.affrm.com/middle-of-nowhere/
DJ Bee AFFRM, Ava Duvernay, Brown Sugar, Middle Of Nowhere