“Love The One You’re With”

I think it’s time we talk about LOVE!!! Are you in love?

In a dating climate where ghosting, polyamory and everyone in search of the next best thing  are beyond the norm, it goes without saying that for any hopeless romantic, prospects for a successful  dating life seem slim to none. Even for those in long term, “monogamous relationships”, the currents of  temptation are certain to rock the boats of perhaps even the sturdiest of relationships. What it all  ultimately boils down to, is knowing what you want, being honest and embracing the possibility of  heartbreak.  

In the new dramatic comedy “Love The One You’re With”, (2021, run time: 61 minutes) the third, written and executive produced by award winning black queer comedy pioneer, writer and filmmaker  Sampson McCormick, whose work has been featured at Harvard University, The Kennedy Center for the  Performing Arts and even as the first, black queer comedian to headline a show for three consecutive  years at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, not only does McCormick  approach the topic of relationships and dating in a raw and honest way, but stays true to his dedication  to authentic narratives of black queer men, tackling issues related to the community that affect our  dating lives, such as self-esteem, coming out, drug use, not communicating honestly, the reality of  interference from social media in relationships, and in some cases overlooking those who are right in  front of us who could offer possibilities of romance.

The story follows a black queer couple Miles (Donnie Hue Frazier) and Avery (Anthony Bawn) as they  tread the rocky waters of a possible break up during a lapse in communication over the course of their  six-year relationship. While confronting the challenges that threaten their relationship, Miles’ best  friend, Rene (Sampson McCormick) also a black, gay man and the blunt and tactless owner of an old  school coffee shop affected by neighborhood gentrification in Inglewood, tries to help him make  decisions that will save his relationship, while also being willing to step back and let life teach his friend a  lesson, as he navigates the challenges of running a black business and unexpectedly walking into  romance himself. 

The cast features: Donnie Hue Frazier, Anthony Bawn, Danny Royce, Jefferey L. Jones-Dickson Jr., Jessica Shaday, Sampson McCormick (BET, TV One, VICELAND) and Hope Flood (Baby Boy, Comic View) 

The film is sure to stir up some very necessary conversations about dating and relationships among  queer people of color, and will is now streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime, VIM Media (vim2.tv) and  will be screening at select film festivals. Other information about the film can be found at sampsoncomedy.com and Sampson’s official Instagram: sampsonmccormick .