College Spotlight

Making a Film that Can Matter

Easy to Love, directed by BeNita Williams, won first prize in the Second Annual Student Film Festival at the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences. The film explores a couple’s fears about HIV/AIDS.

Williams, who is pursuing majors in communication studies and theatre and a minor in media studies,  said she wanted to do something thought-provoking for HIV Awareness Month that would entertain but also focus on issues many people face daily but don't often discuss.

“I wanted Easy to Love to show how a history of intimacy can connect a large number of people to a couple,” she explained. “Also, I wanted to make the story simple enough that viewers can laugh and understand and take something home with them—all in six minutes.”

Easy to Love examines an engaged couple's hopes, commitments and fears as they face an uncertain future. The drama unfolds as the man questions whether the woman would still want to be with him if he tested positive for HIV. Their conversation goes on to cover a range of real-life concerns related to HIV/AIDS and relationships. “The film brings up issues people have to deal with, bringing ideas home face-forward,” Williams said.

A film like Easy to Love that engages an audience—even if it's only minutes long—isn't necessarily easy to make. “BeNita was careful to use the camera to tell the story, succinctly and vividly, without the overuse of 'tricks,'” noted Weylin Sternglanz, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology and co-director of the film festival. “It was amazing to see the audience transfixed by BeNita’s story. Everyone wanted to know what would happen to this couple and how they would deal with the difficult issue of HIV testing.”

Sternglanz said he and Chetachi Egwu, Ph.D., festival co-director and assistant professor of communications, already plan to show Easy to Love to students participating in next year’s festival as an example of what can result from inspiration and hard work.

Williams said she feels a strong sense of purpose by addressing difficult issues through film. “There's a time in our lives when we have to be accountable,” she said. Winning first prize in the Student Film Festival has affirmed her intent to further expand her academic and creative efforts—in film as well as in television, theater, and radio. Her plans are to continue producing thought-provoking programs that engage audiences on issues they might not otherwise want to face.