The Varsity Theatre in the Wilkinson Student Center is showing the movie “Loving” this weekend, Jan. 19–20. This is a unique experience for BYU because this movie has only available in select theaters nationwide.
“Loving” tells the story of an interracial couple, Richard and Mildred Loving, who were arrested for their marriage in Virginia. They challenged the anti-miscegenation arrest and their legal battle ended in the U.S. Supreme Court.
The movie is based on a true story and real Supreme Court case.
Anthony Bates, the assistant director of BYUSA, said the Varsity Theater program, in keeping with BYUSA’s mission, teaches and educates in a different format than other events the organization puts on. He hopes the movie will reach and impact a lot of students.
He said “Loving” approaches the topic of interracial relationships without being racially or politically charged. Instead, the film presents the issue on a personal and human level.
“It shows how laws and cultural norms had a very real and detrimental impact on a family,” Bates said.
The film is relatable for Bates because he is half African-American and half Caucasian, and his wife is Caucasian.
“There are some aspects of my family and life experience that I relate to in the film,” Bates said.
Bates said it can be difficult to talk about a topic that could easily turn into a very racially and politically charged discussion. “Loving” makes the topic more relatable by placing the topic in a family setting, according to Bates.
“When you talk about our country’s history in this regard and you make it a human experience and walk people through what it’s actually like to have the kind of experiences, you can avoid politically charged discussion where it’s easier to remove yourself and get caught up in the chatter,” Bates said.
Logan Mann, the coordinator in BYUSA who oversees the Varsity Theater, also hopes the theater will present a variety of movie options for students, including movies that are not recent big blockbusters. He hopes the students can connect with the movies.
“We want to show all the kinds of stories that are available in film,” Mann said.
“Loving” did not have a wide release, but Mann said he and Bates felt the film has a good message and is well made. Mann said it is a special and unique movie.
Lance Hyatt, the student manager of the theater, said it’s not often that the theater has the chance to show more serious and inspiring films.
“It’s a really exciting opportunity. We have a great lineup of movies for this semester and I think ‘Loving’ will do really well,” Hyatt said.
The film will be shown in BYU’s Varsity Theater Jan. 19–20.
There are two showings each day at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., with a Saturday matinee at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the Information Desk in the Wilkinson Student Center.
