Watch A Love Song for Latasha

A Love Song for Latasha is a 2019 documentary film directed and produced by Sophia Nahli Allison. The movie is a tribute to Latasha Harlins, a 15-year-old black girl who was shot and killed in Los Angeles on March 16, 1991, by a Korean-American convenience store owner. The film explores Harlins' life and death, and how her tragic story intersects with larger issues of race, class, and gender in America.

The film begins with a montage of news footage from the period, including footage of the Rodney King riots, which were sparked by the acquittal of the policemen who brutally beat King. This sets the context for the racial tensions that were boiling over in Los Angeles at the time of Harlins' death. We then hear from Harlins' family and friends, who describe her as a bright, happy, and ambitious young girl who wanted to grow up to be a lawyer. They share family photos and home movies, giving us a sense of who Harlins was and the world she came from.

The heart of the film is the exploration of the events leading up to, and following, Harlins' death. We learn that Harlins was shot in the back of the head by a store owner named Soon Ja Du, who accused Harlins of stealing a bottle of orange juice. The shooting was captured on surveillance footage, and Du was charged with murder. However, she was later convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to probation and community service, sparking outrage within the black community.

The film examines the broader context of Harlins' death, including the racial tensions between the black and Korean-American communities in Los Angeles at the time. We hear from activists, scholars, and community leaders who provide historical context and analysis. The film also explores how Harlins' death was used as a rallying cry for the black community in the years that followed, including during the Rodney King riots.

One of the most powerful aspects of the film is the way it humanizes Harlins and puts her life and death in a broader context. We see the impact of her death on her family and community, and we also see how her story touches on larger social and political issues. The film is both a tribute to Harlins and a call to action, urging viewers to consider how we can work to create a more just and equitable society.

Overall, A Love Song for Latasha is a powerful, moving, and thought-provoking film that sheds light on an important moment in American history. Sophia Nahli Allison's direction is sensitive and intimate, and the film is expertly crafted with a mix of archival footage, interviews, and haunting visuals. Tybie O'Bard, Shinese Harlins, and Zoe Flint all deliver powerful performances, giving voice to Harlins and her family in a way that is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. Anyone interested in issues of race, justice, and social change should see this film.

A Love Song for Latasha is a 2020 documentary with a runtime of 18 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.