A Love Song for Latasha

Last updated
A Love Song for Latasha
A Love Song for Latasha.jpg
Film poster
Directed by Sophia Nahli Allison
Produced byJanice Duncan (Creative Producer) Fam Udeorji (Producer) Sophia Nahli Allison (Producer) Aubrey Aden-Buie (Executive Producer) Elisa Gambino (Executive Producer)
StarringShinese Harlins and Tybie O'Bard, Raigan Alex, Zoe Flint, Shinese Harlins, Brittany Hudson (as Irie Hudson), Tybie O'Bard, Londyn Sharp
CinematographySophia Nahli Allison
Edited bySophia Nahli Allison
Music byMinna Choi
Distributed by Netflix
Release dates
  • April 2019 (2019-04)(Tribeca)
  • September 21, 2020 (2020-09-21)
Running time
19 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguagesEnglish (original), Turkish, French, Italian, German

A Love Song for Latasha is a 2019 American biographical documentary short film directed by Sophia Nahli Allison. Drawing on memories from the subject's cousin and best friend, the film reimagines the life of Latasha Harlins, a Black Los Angeles girl shot and killed by a convenience store owner in 1991. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject at the 93rd Academy Awards.

Contents

Production

Allison spent two years making A Love Song for Latasha, serving as director, cinematographer, editor and producer. [1] She originally pitched it to a documentary organization she worked for, given the approaching 25th anniversary of Latasha Harlins' 1991 death and the 1992 uprising it fueled. [1] Allison wanted to create a piece restoring the memory of Harlins' life and death to their significance in those events, which are often described only as the Rodney King riots. [2] (Harlins was shot to death by a convenience store owner only days after the police beating of King.) [2] But the organization's indifference and incomprehension of the subject's significance prompted a realization for Allison that "I could no longer work within institutions that don't validate the importance of my existence. If they don't validate the existence of other Black women and girls then they have no right to work with me." [3] Instead she worked closely with Harlins' friends, developing a depiction of their childhoods and South Central Los Angeles. [4] Alice Walker and Saidiya Hartman were influences in Allison's approach to creating a missing archive in the absence of home videos or other archival footage of Harlins. [5]

Summary

A Love Song for Latasha, reimagines the life of Latasha Harlins, a Black girl shot by a convenience store owner in Los Angeles 1991, fueling the 1992 uprising. [1] At the time, security camera footage of Harlins' death was broadcast widely on television news, but Allison's work does not include it. [6] Instead, Jude Dry wrote in IndieWire, the 19-minute film is "bursting with sun-kissed sidewalks and faded basketball courts, clean line animation and radiant Black girls posed gracefully, like young queens." [7] The day of the shooting is depicted in animation, intercut with VHS tape static, to heighten the sense of memory despite the lack of any home movies of Harlins. [7]

The film reimagines narrative of Harlins through intimate memories shared by her cousin Shinese Harlins and best friend Tybie O'Bard. This documentary focuses on how she experienced the society and what dreams and hopes she developed rather than focusing on her death. [8]

Release

The film premiered at the Tribecca Film Festival and screened at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. [3] Ava DuVernay programmed the documentary as part of Array 360, and it was then picked up by Netflix. [7] The film was released on Netflix on September 21, 2020. [9]

Reception

The documentary short received strongly favorable reviews. At IndieWire, Dry called it a "bold and imaginative take on a vital subject" and "a strong contender for awards consideration." In Esquire, Gabrielle Bruney called it a "stirring portrait". [10] In TheGrio , Cortney Wills described A Love Song as "a mesmerizing piece of work that takes an unconventional route to storytelling." [5]

Accolades

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rashida Jones</span> American actress (born 1976)

Rashida Leah Jones is an American actress, writer, producer, and director. Jones appeared as Louisa Fenn on the Fox drama series Boston Public (2000–2002), as Karen Filippelli on the NBC comedy series The Office, and as Ann Perkins on the NBC comedy series Parks and Recreation (2009–2015). From 2016 to 2019, Jones starred as the eponymous lead role in the TBS comedy series Angie Tribeca, and in 2020, Jones starred as Joya Barris in the Netflix series #blackAF.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keep Ya Head Up</span> 1993 single by 2Pac featuring Dave Hollister

"Keep Ya Head Up" is a song by American rapper Tupac Shakur from his second studio album, Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z...(1993). It was released on October 28, 1993 as the album's third single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kay Cannon</span> American filmmaker (born 1974)

Kay Cannon is an American screenwriter, producer, director, and actress. She is best known for writing and producing the Pitch Perfect film series (2012–2017). She made her directorial debut with the comedy film Blockers (2018). Cannon was also a writer and producer for the NBC comedy series 30 Rock (2007–2012) and the FOX comedy series New Girl (2012–2014). She created, wrote and produced the short-lived Netflix comedy-drama series Girlboss (2017).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Killing of Latasha Harlins</span> Killing of an African-American teenager by a Korean-American store owner in 1991

Latasha Harlins was an African-American girl who was fatally shot at age 15 by Soon Ja Du, a 49-year-old Korean-American convenience store owner. Du was tried and convicted of voluntary manslaughter over the killing of Harlins, based in part on security camera footage. The judge sentenced Du to 10 years in state prison but the sentence was suspended and the defendant was instead placed on five years' probation with 400 hours of community service, a $500 restitution, and funeral expenses. The sentencing was widely regarded as an extremely light sentence, and a failed appeal contributed to the 1992 Los Angeles riots, especially the targeting of Koreatown, Los Angeles, California. The killing of Harlins came 13 days after the videotaped beating of Rodney King.

<i>Black Mirror</i> British television series

Black Mirror is a British anthology television series created by Charlie Brooker. Individual episodes explore a diversity of genres, but most are set in near-future dystopias with sci-fi technology—a type of speculative fiction. The series is based on The Twilight Zone and uses technology to comment on contemporary social issues. Most episodes are written by Brooker with heavy involvement by the executive producer Annabel Jones.

<i>Bridegroom</i> (film) 2013 American film

Bridegroom is a 2013 American documentary film about the relationship between two young gay men, produced and directed by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason. Bridegroom premiered at the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival on April 23, 2013, and attracted further press coverage because its premiere screening at the festival was introduced by former President Bill Clinton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sophia Lillis</span> American actress (born 2002)

Sophia Lillis is an American actress. She starred as Beverly Marsh in the horror films It (2017) and It: Chapter Two (2019), as well as Sydney Novak in the Netflix drama series I Am Not Okay With This (2020). Lillis has also appeared in the HBO psychological thriller miniseries Sharp Objects (2018) and the film Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taylor Russell</span> Canadian actress

Taylor Russell McKenzie is a Canadian actress. She has starred in the Netflix science fiction series Lost in Space (2018–2021). In film, she has starred in the critically acclaimed drama Waves (2019), for which she was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female, and the horror film Escape Room (2019) and its 2021 sequel. For starring as a cannibalistic teenager in the road film Bones and All (2022), Russell won the Marcello Mastroianni Award.

<i>Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982–1992</i> 2017 American film

Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982–1992 is a 2017 American documentary film directed by John Ridley about the decade preceding and including the 1992 Los Angeles riots. It was produced by Lincoln Square Productions, a subsidiary of ABC News, and was released in theaters in Los Angeles and New York on April 21, 2017. A shorter version aired on ABC on April 28, 2017. A rebroadcast of the film took place on June 16, 2020. The film has received critical acclaim.

<i>Love, Death & Robots</i> Adult animated anthology streaming television series

Love, Death & Robots is an adult animated anthology streaming television series with a few live action episodes created by Tim Miller and streaming on Netflix and aired on Adult Swim. Although the series is produced by Blur Studio, individual episodes are produced by different animation studios from a range of countries and explore diverse genres, particularly comedy, horror, science fiction, and fantasy. Each episode is connected to one or more of the three titular concepts. Miller serves as the showrunner and producer alongside Joshua Donen, David Fincher, and Jennifer Miller; most episodes are written by Philip Gelatt, mostly adapting written works.

<i>Homecoming</i> (2019 American film) 2019 film by Beyoncé

Homecoming is a 2019 concert film about American singer Beyoncé and her performance at the 2018 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, written, executive produced and directed by Beyoncé herself. It was released on April 17, 2019 by Netflix, alongside an accompanying live album.

<i>Jezebel</i> (2019 film) 2019 drama film written and directed by Numa Perrier

Jezebel is a 2019 semi-autobiographical drama film written and directed by Numa Perrier and starring actress Tiffany Tenille. The plot follows a 19-year-old girl, also named Tiffany, who begins to do sex work as a cam girl to financially support herself. Jezebel premiered at SXSW on March 9, 2019, and was selected as a "Best of SXSW" film by The Hollywood Reporter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashley Blaine Featherson</span> American actress

Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins is an American actress. She is best known as the co-creator and star of Black&SexyTV's Hello Cupid. She also appeared in the web series Roomieloverfriends, the film Bad Hair, and was a main cast member on the Netflix series Dear White People (2017–2021).

<i>Dick Johnson Is Dead</i> 2020 documentary film by Kirsten Johnson

Dick Johnson Is Dead is a 2020 American documentary film directed by Kirsten Johnson and co-written by Johnson and Nels Bangerter. The story focuses on Johnson's father Richard, who suffers from dementia, portraying different ways—some of them violent "accidents"—in which he could ultimately die. In each scenario, the elderly Johnson plays along with his daughter's black humor and imaginative fantasies. The film premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Special Jury Award for Innovation in Non-fiction Storytelling. It was released on Netflix on October 2, 2020.

<i>Crip Camp</i> 2020 documentary film

Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution is a 2020 American documentary film directed, written and co-produced by Nicole Newnham and James LeBrecht. Barack and Michelle Obama served as executive producers under their Higher Ground Productions banner.

<i>Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich</i> American television miniseries

Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich is an American web documentary television miniseries about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The miniseries is based on the 2016 book of the same name by James Patterson, and co-written by John Connolly and Tim Malloy. Filthy Rich was released on May 27, 2020, on Netflix. The four-part documentary features interviews with several survivors including Virginia Giuffre and Maria Farmer, along with former staff members and former police chief Michael Reiter, a key individual from the first criminal case against Epstein.

<i>Blood & Water</i> (South African TV series) South African television series

Blood & Water is a South African teen crime drama television series developed by Gambit Films for Netflix starring Ama Qamata, Khosi Ngema and Gail Mabalane. Set in Cape Town, the series follows a girl who transfers to an elite school when she suspects one of the students may be her sister, who was abducted as a baby.

<i>If Anything Happens I Love You</i> 2020 short film by Will McCormack and Michael Govier

If Anything Happens I Love You is an American 2D animated short film written and directed by Will McCormack and Michael Govier. Its story follows two grieving parents as they struggle to confront the death of their daughter, who was killed in a school shooting. From Gilbert Films and Oh Good Productions, the film was released on Netflix on November 20, 2020.

Canvas is an American animated short film written and directed by Frank E. Abney III. It was released on December 11, 2020 on Netflix.

Sophia Nahli Allison is an American documentary filmmaker and photographer. Her documentary short A Love Song for Latasha (2019) was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary. It debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival and screened at the Sundance Film Festival in 2020. Allison directed and co-wrote the 2021 HBO Max special Eyes on the Prize: Hallowed Ground.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Tangcay, Jazz (2021-02-09). "'A Love Song for Latasha' Director Sophia Nahli Allison: 'We Are Building the Future'". Variety. Archived from the original on 2021-02-21. Retrieved 2021-03-15.
  2. 1 2 Barajas, Julia (2021-03-15). "The heartbreaking L.A. story behind Oscar nominee 'A Love Song for Latasha'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2021-03-16. Retrieved 2021-03-17.
  3. 1 2 Harrison, Mia (June 26, 2020). "'A Love Song for Latasha' Urges You To Remember Black Lives, Not Just Death". Vice. Archived from the original on September 25, 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  4. Finley, Taryn (16 March 2021). "Sophia Nahli Allison's 'A Love Song For Latasha' Captures The Fullness Of Black Girlhood". HuffPost. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  5. 1 2 Wills, Cortney (2020-09-01). "Netflix to debut heartbreaking doc 'A Love Song for Latasha'". TheGrio. Archived from the original on 2020-12-31. Retrieved 2021-03-17.
  6. "How Six Documentary Directors Explored Untold Stories in 2020". Vanity Fair. January 25, 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-02-01. Retrieved 2021-03-17.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Dry, Jude (2020-12-11). "'A Love Song for Latasha' Is a Visionary Celebration of One Black Girl's Too-Short Life". IndieWire. Archived from the original on 2021-01-18. Retrieved 2021-03-15.
  8. "'A Love Song For Latasha' Review: Netflix short docu is moving tribute to 15-year-old victim of racial violence". Meaww. Archived from the original on 2020-10-03. Retrieved 2020-09-21.
  9. "'A Love Song For Latasha'". Decider. 21 September 2020. Archived from the original on 2020-10-20. Retrieved 2020-09-21.
  10. Bruney, Gabrielle (2020-09-21). "Latasha Harlins' Death Fueled the 1991 LA Riots. A New Documentary Celebrates Her Life". Esquire. Archived from the original on 2021-02-10. Retrieved 2021-03-30.
  11. "2021|Oscars.org". Archived from the original on 2021-03-15. Retrieved 2021-03-15.
  12. "'Collective' Named Top Documentary at Cinema Eye Honors". TheWrap. 2021-03-10. Archived from the original on 2021-03-10. Retrieved 2021-03-15.