Loving an Invisible Love:<\/strong><\/p>\n

My review of \u201cMiddle Of Nowhere\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

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<\/strong> (@avatec ) is a filmmaker, she wrote, directed and produced \u201cMiddle of Nowhere\u201d the story of a wife\u2019s decision to stick by her spouse even through seemingly insurmountable obstacles. \u201cMiddle of Nowhere\u201d stars the beautiful Emayatzy Corinealdi, David Oyelowo, Omari Hardwick, and Lorraine Toussaint<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u00a0I saw the tweets about the film and I loved Ms. Duvernay and AFFRM\u2019s (African American Film Festival Releasing Movement)<\/strong> mission to take the film where the people are. Many indie films are hard to find for folks who aren\u2019t 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\u2019s wonderful to support but we don\u2019t have to support poor quality products. Duvernay\u2019s film discusses an issue common to many but placed in the wrong director\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 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. <\/strong>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\u2019t there. Invisible Spouses- incarcerated, deployed, away on business. Does it matter why the spouse is away? Like if they aren\u2019t there, at the end of the day they aren\u2019t there is my thought. BUT I get it that the idea that if your spouse is \u201cprotecting the nation\u201d it must feel better (more socially acceptable even) and in your heart than if they were locked up for \u201cslanging\u201d 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\u2019s best for them.<\/p>\n

\u00a0I talked to fellow freshians (fresh radio family) about how they felt and it was mixed, but the majority said they couldn\u2019t 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\u2019ll explore more in a future Brown Sugar.<\/p>\n

But for now check the \u201cMiddle of Nowhere\u201d website and if you\u2019re lucky enough to be in a city where it\u2019s showing go SUPPORT. Support not just because it\u2019s a film by a sister, but because it\u2019s a <\/strong>GREAT<\/strong> film by a sister, showing the validity and universality of \u201cour stories\u201d. For film info and showtimes please click and share the link below.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Brown Sugar is written by Angie C @brown_sugar415\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Movie Info-<\/strong> <\/strong>http:\/\/www.affrm.com\/middle-of-nowhere\/<\/strong><\/p>\n