Hair Love is an animated short about a father tried to do his adorable daughter’s natural hair (and so much more). I have tried to do my daughter’s hair. I always land on one of two hairstyles. Ponytail or “Hey, let’s leave it out!” It doesn’t help that her scalp is super sensitive so combing out those tangles is a real hassle (a hassle I leave for her mother to deal with). When I heard I was having a daughter my first (or maybe 17th) thought was learning to do a little girls hair. What a daunting task for a man with thick, stupid fingers and a short attention span.
I write all that to say I understand the father in this wonderful Sony animated short. This touching short about family and bonding hit me right in the feels. It also helps that its gorgeously animated and directed. It’s written and directed by Matthew A. Cherry, co-directed by Bruce W. Smith, Everett Downing Jr. and starring Issa Rae. Watch it below.
#HairLove is live! It’s an animated short film about an African American father learning how to do his daughters hair for the first time. Written & Directed by me, co-directed by @BruceAlmighteee @Mr_Scribbles & stars @IssaRae. @SonyAnimation #HairLove pic.twitter.com/RRlh2Ncol1
— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) December 5, 2019
Doing hair is hard
In Hair Love, the dad struggles to do right by his little girl simultaneously fighting the urge to take the easy way out. Every time my lady asks “Would you do her hair, please?” it feels like a set up. She admitted as much stating she planned to tell my daughter’s teachers dad picked up the comb today. Thank goodness I can lasso a mean ponytail.
I won’t spoil anything. If you haven’t watched it yet, go do so right now. I mean, I linked it all kinds of ways above! What a triumph.
