195 Lewis

DIRECTOR: Chanelle Aponte-Pearson
2016 | USA | 47min

“Polyamory: the state of being in love or romantically involved with more than one person at the same time.”

In the sexy mini-series 195 Lewis, a black lesbian couple in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, is forced to face difficult truths about their relationship after they open it up to others. The first five episodes center on the pair’s decision to open their relationship and the effects polyamory has on the community of women around them.

Yuri is a 20-something artist. She is one of those women you either want to be like or be with; she’s extremely confidant and absolutely in love with her girlfriend, Camille. The couple decides to test the boundaries by pursuing an open relationship. As the series progresses, Yuri’s idea of polyamory begins to shift from the couple’s original terms. After all, there’s no blueprint on how to do this.

Yuri’s growing infatuation with a new lover leaves Camille distressed. Camille’s worries are amplified by the unexpected arrival of an old college friend with nowhere else to stay.

Part of the magic of 195 Lewis lies in the eclectic mix of characters and how they portray equal parts humor and lust. The series won a Special Mention from Outfest in Los Angeles for, “highlighting the contemporary life of queer black woman with flair, vibrancy and substance.”