MU's own Brian Maurer writes, directs 'Lit'

The film is meant to transcend professor-student boundaries.

By Justin Whaley

Published Dec. 1, 2009

Producing "Lit," a full-length feature film about the personal struggles of two university employees, became a dream come true for writer, director and MU employee Brian Maurer.

In a story of tolerance and friendship, literature professor Dr. Samuel Kete faces his worst nightmare after being assigned to teach an undergraduate class during a department meeting gone wrong. Although insulted by this sly form of punishment, Kete, played by Michael Wilson, takes matters into his own hands in a unique form of rebellion when he decides to base his class on children's literature to switch up his game.

Kete's best friend, a campus administrator named Carrey Wasse, played by Daniel Jordan, struggles through a rugged relationship with an unloving wife and a lusty secret lover, both tearing him at the seams like an old, unraveling baseball. Though Wasse feels alone in his struggle, he turns to Kete for friendship. Both men must make life-altering decisions during a semester of monstrous difficulties.

They deal with these difficulties with a teaspoon of patience and a full serving of companionship.

Maurer said "Lit" provides examples of the struggles of professors and students alike. Students in the film develop problems with professors and professors struggle to deal with personal strife.

Conversely, Maurer stressed professors are no different than the students he portrays.

"They're people dealing with the same crunch-time issues," Maurer said.

He said professors must deal with the stress of exams and coursework just as students do, and he tried to portray this in the film.

"Professors and students should watch to understand one another's viewpoints," he said. "Professors eat Ramen just like students do. They have relationship problems just like students do."

Maurer said he wants his audience to understand that the professor-student barrier doesn't need to exist.

"Hopefully, seeing 'Lit' will break down a barrier between students and professors," Maurer said.

The film, produced with only a couple of thousand dollars, demonstrates Maurer's forté for filmmaking on what he calls a "Velcro budget."

Maurer said when he produced "Lit," he wanted to show that creating a full-length feature film doesn't always require a hefty sum of funding. Audience members who are interested in filmmaking can take with them the idea that a good film takes time and effort to come together, not millions of dollars.

A film both students and professors can relate to, "Lit" exemplifies the hardships of people young and old, new and experienced. Many lessons can be taken from "Lit." Hear out your students and, vice versa, your professors. Find a common ground to establish a relationship between students and teachers because, in turn, each person can benefit from the experience. The lives of Kete and Carrey Wasse present two strong people overcoming major hardships, something many people can identify with.

"Lit" premieres at Ragtag Cinema, at 5:30 Wednesday, Dec. 2. Tickets are $6.50 for students with an ID and $8 for adults.