“Love” is in the air for EWU’s upcoming film series

Love won’t just be in Valentine’s Day cards this month on campus. Film professor Sarah Lee Monroe is presenting a film series throughout February with the theme of love. Each movie in the series is presented through the perspective of a different cultures: Black, Chicano, Native and Gay.

Monroe said that with all of the negativity surrounding the economy, as well as Eastern’s own budget cuts, this will hopefully be something to lighten the mood.

“It’s been a lot of serious stuff on people’s minds. And I wanted to put on an event, something with a different energy on campus. And I also think this will help support diversity on campus,” Monroe said.

Another drawing point for this film series is that it falls around Valentine’s Day, which might make for a great date night because admission is free.

“There will be free popcorn, and it would be a great thing if you wanted to bring a date. I want it to be like going to the theater and not just a school event,” Monroe said.

One quality that many people attribute as one dimension of Eastern’s strength is the many cultures on campus. Monroe feels that this is the main reason to check out the series and see how love is universal through all the cultures, even if they all seem so different.

“[Film] makes you feel a part of something. It brings together people who might not interact with each other otherwise. Film in particular is a very powerful way to show off different perspectives. It’s a window into the meaningfulness into people’s lives. Love is the most meaningful connection that we have in life,” Monroe said.

Finally, Monroe wants the audience members to think of two questions while watching each film.

“I want them to ask themselves, ‘What is universal love?’ and, ‘What is culturally specific love?’” he said.

The films in the series include “For Love of Ivy” (Black), “Rez Bomb” (Native), “Vicious Circle” (Chicano) and “Brokeback Mountain” (Gay). Each film will be presented on consecutive Tuesdays at 5 p.m., in R-TV 101 followed by a discussion after each film.