The extremely moving film “The Loving Story” didn't come to Raleigh in its theatrical run, but it was featured at last year's Full Frame Documentary Film Festival at the Carolina Theatre in Durham.
Fittingly for Valentine's Day, and for Black History Month, it premieres tonight on HBO.
Directed and co-written by one of the founders of Full Frame, Nancy Buirski, the film is the emotionally powerful story of Mildred and Richard Loving - the couple involved in overturning the law in Virginia banning interracial marriage in the '60s in the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Lovings were arrested in 1958 right after being wed, and told they had to divorce or leave the state. They spent 9 years fighting the system aided by ACLU lawyers Bernie Cohen and Phillip Hirschkop.
An astounding array of previously unseen footage, both black and white and color, plus many achival photos and original newspaper reports makes up the film, along with interviews of the key players decorating the edges.
When “The Loving Story” screened last March in Fletcher Hall at the Carolina Theatre in Durham, there was a post film Q and A moderated by Walter Dellinger that featured Buirski, producer Elisabeth Haviland James, Hope Ryden (who filmed the Lovings back in the day), retired lawyer Cohen (who got a standing ovation), and daughter Peggy Loving.
If it were filmed, that discussion (or a likewise one) would make a great DVD/Blu ray bonus feature when the film is released on home video.
Until then, check out “The Loving Story” on HBO tonight. Check your local listings for air-times.
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