A Love Song for Latasha

I ended up watching this because I am working my way through the Oscar nominations. I knew nothing about the subject matter. The 19 minutes pf this work are very lyrical-abstract animation is even used-and the underlying story is one of raw emotional power. The short fulfills its title as it is largely a remembrance about Latasha by her friends and family. No time is spent on the larger context-it is singularly about Latasha in herself. The film is admirable in that regard but I wish there was like a minute of larger context to bookend the core of the short. It feels like a very well done home movie.

A mini-documentary. It is about the murder of a teenage girl in the 90's and the feelings of her acquaintances. Piercing. Raw. Quality. The narrations and the recreation of her voice are exemplary. Animations and skits are fine. Seek justice and promptly expose the harassment experienced by people of color in certain neighborhoods in the United States. In 20 minutes it leaves you with a sour taste. In the end it could be you or I who tragically loses my life while going to the store. It is a documentary made with love that reclaims the life of a black girl. Safety pin.

This story is so painful and sadly, familiar 20 years later.

I think that Latasha sounds incredible and I think this documentary does a great job at painting a picture of her and like the woman in the documentary said Latasha is often reduced to just a headline. I think this documentary is a fantastic counter to that and really shows the person she was.

This is a sad watch. It's sad what happened to her, it's sad what happened to her loved ones and it's sad that it still happens today. The end lines of text after the movie finishes is are just the final punch to the gut. It really is Appalling.

Unfortunately I think that the filmmaking does hinder this documentary at times. It's a little scattered and for lack of another word, strange.

It is sort of art house-y and has so many effects on it. You don't see the faces of anyone talking for the first half of the documentary so it can be confusing who is actually telling the story. I think all this just gets in the way.

This doesn't completely ruin the film I just would have personally preferred them to focus more on the story and not reversing footage and like editing every shot to the hilt.

The front runner for Best Documentary Short at the Academy Awards and deservedly so, I'm very happy the Oscars put this on my radar because A Love Song for Latasha is such a short and sweet tribute to a life taken too soon. Without being preachy or insensitive, it is simply a film that honors the layers the media neglects to share about Latasha Harlins. I was taught about her briefly in college but I'm so glad this Netflix doc colored in the lines in between what I knew. This is such a worthwhile watch because it manages to make a cinematic and beautiful short that is lush and emotionally moving. Well done.

Its very sad, and while the film style is unique and scattered its very beautifully told. Its beautiful her family and friends still carry on her legacy. I highly recommend, its a good reminder how little we value some people and how racism can cut someone's life short