Sara - The Film

WARNING - Spoiler alert - don't read below if you don't want to have the plot spoiled!

You know a film has potential when in the first three minutes it has you crying along with the characters. Sara is a complicated look at the relationship between two women from vastly different backgrounds, as their new relationship is rocked by a revelation of volcanic proportions.

Jessica Clark plays Lexus, a 3rd year PHd candidate who has decided to take some time off to pursue work while figuring out what she wants to do. Earlier in the summer, while out at a bar, Lexus met a playfully sexy young woman named Sara, played by Julissa Bermudez. Sara is very candid about her profession – prostitute. Sara clearly enjoys her ability to seduce and of course seduces Lexus the first night they met. Lexus, bothered that she might be another “John”, is taken when Sara both figuratively and literally lowers her guard in the form of removing her escort character’s bobbed wig.

Jessica Clark, a former model and vlogger, is obviously comfortable in front of the camera, but is still gaining her feet as an actress. She has real potential, and for a first role, she is quite competent. Julissa Bermudez, who plays the title role of Sara has a bit more experience under her belt, and is truly a standout. Her Sara is sensual, emotional and natural. The chemistry between the two actresses is believable however and they play well against each other.

The revelation of their differing HIV status comes three months in, and causes Lexus to wonder how to react. She asks the advice of her heterosexual, married, and expecting friends, who then play over the question in terms of their own relationship. Does the amount of time one has spent investing in a relationship make a difference as to how one would or should react to such heavy news? The question is never really settled, but one thing is agreed upon – all you can do is be there for the other person and decide as time goes on. Lexus agrees, and the audience then gets to see more of Sara the woman, as opposed to Sara the cartoon-like sex character, as she opens up about her past, and shares her secret relaxation spot with Lexus. The audience is meant to see that what was originally a sexy and fun encounter has slowly become fleshed out as the characters build an actual relationship and friendship.

AIDS amongst lesbians is a topic that is rarely discussed popularly, despite the AIDS-caused death of supermodel Gia in the 80s, as the general sex education sentiment is that woman to woman sexual contact is the lowest form of risk for passing HIV. However, that notion dismisses the reality that many women who have sex with other women also have or have had sex with men in their past (and/or engaged in other risky behaviors). It is not impossible for diseases to be passed between women, just less likely.

It is an ambitious undertaking, and the story piques the audience's interest in this topic, as well as the other layers brought to the surface in this story. Although the editing is occasionally choppy and the camera work occasionally less than stellar, the film really suffers from an issue that plagues many short films – a need to expand to better showcase the story. It felt like a sketch of what could be. I do eagerly look forward to seeing what the full 28-minute version of this story would bring, or perhaps an even longer version.

To watch: http://www.sarathefilm.com/

Director:

Stan

Cast:

Julissa Bermudez ... Sara
Jessica Clark ... Lexus
Harvey Gardner Moore ... Marcus
Phyllis Johnson ... Jae