This month TV One unveiled a slate of movies focusing on love, lies and murder. Each film is inspired by real events, including Loved to Death, about a newly-engaged couple whose lives are cut short by a violent ex-lover.
The film stars Malinda Williams, MC Lyte, McKinley Freeman, Tobias Truvillion and Chrystee Pharris.
I sat down with the cast at the recent press junket in Los Angeles, and MC Lyte talked about the nation’s growing fascination with movies and TV shows based on true crimes.
“People want to see things that are real,” she said. “There was a time when soap operas were enough and they’re no longer enough. They don’t satiate the real viewer who’s looking to tap into something that speaks to them.”
[Watch the video below]
“We live in a social media society where we’re actually seeing real crimes play out in real time,” Williams added. “So a lot of times people want to see things that are real, because we are seeing things [online] that are real.”
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Williams leads the cast as Monica, who falls for Jackson (Freeman) during a chance encounter. They move in together, but the relationship soon unravels. Monica then strikes up a connection with fellow church member, Dre (Truvillion), and the two get engaged. But Jackson is determined to win her back by any means necessary.
The actress said she found playing Monica emotionally draining.
“Putting yourself in the shoes of a person who has been physically abused, mentally abused, emotionally abused on a daily basis, is not an easy thing, even if you are pretending,” Williams explained.
The movie is directed by Lee Davis and written by Chad Quinn. TV One hopes the film will help raise awareness about domestic violence.
Loved To Death airs Sunday, July 21 At 8 p.m. ET/7C, followed by an encore presentation at 10 p.m.
Watch the video below courtesy of LA CityView Channel 35.
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