I happened upon this short film, Letters To A Father, co-written by Angi Bones and George Pierre, and directed by Bones, and I wondered why I hadn’t heard of it sooner. It was released earlier this year, so pardon my tardiness if you’ve already seen it.
For those who haven’t seen Letters To A Father, it’s an impressive work that features the talents of rising star Jasmine Burke (Mississippi Damned, The Vampire Diaries), Kendrick Cross (Army Wives, Drop Dead Diva), Tasia Grant (Breaking Up Is Hard To Do), and Johnell J. Easter. The film deals with societal issues that have, at times, been debated ad nauseum with regard to black filmmaking. However, when done right, films like this one serve a purpose greater than mere entertainment. A film like Letters To A Father might just change a life.
Here’s how the short film’s producer, Atlanta, GA based Supremacy Films, sums up Letters To A Father:
This story begins with a happy family. Mother, Father and a beautiful new arrival named Angel. Theresa and Anderson welcome the birth of their new baby girl but is Anderson really happy? Can he handle the pressure of being a new father, and all THAT means. This story takes you on a journey of life for a daughter without a father, and all the things that can happen, do happen. Take the journey with Angel as she grows up in a world, not knowing who or what is love. Her confusion creates this beautiful story of a young girl, as she grows up to be a beautiful young woman, but has so much pain. Theresa, the mom is finally happy, she has a family again…but at what cost? This story exemplifies that life is about sudden decisions, and how one thing can lead to another…or does it?
