Dear Mama

For those like me, remembering the death of Tupac Shakur was a tragedy that cost us the gift of his music. In Winter Dunn’s short film Dear Mama, Shakur’s death is examined in a different way as a daughter and father both react to hearing the news during their own tragedy. And it is through that tragedy that they will hopefully forge a path forward together.  

Amid grieving the death of her mother, Tanisha (Mikayla Lashae Bartholomew) is tasked to packing up her room and life as her and her father Nate (Garland Scott) must move to more affordable accommodations. As they continue their moving, a local news anchor (Jennifer Lauren DiBella) announces the death of Tupac Shakur…shaking Tanisha out of her duties and gluing her eyes to the TV instead. As the news of losing Tupac spreads, Tanisha reflects on her own relationship with the singer and how he was one of the last links to her mother, who was also a big fan. The death of Tupac impacts Tanisha and Nate in different ways, eventually leading to the realization that both father and daughter need to find a way to overcome their personal loss. 

Writer Charmaine Cleveland has found a way to not only honor Tupac’s memory, but also use his death to reveal the way that loss changes our view of the world and how we try to cope. Bartholomew and Scott delve into their roles and deliver a performance unlike any other, giving Tanisha and Nate a rawness that they have yet to heal from in their loss. But while Tanisha works to try and process that grief through her music, Nate has not really let the grief wash over him. Instead, he dives into picking up the pieces and moving forward rather than staying in one place or deviating from the ultimate mission…even if just for a mere moment.  

I also love the use of the title “Dear Mama” as it is an iconic Tupac hit. The song itself suggests that the son is always getting into trouble and may not see eye to eye with his mother, but there is no one else like her and her loss would be profound. The way that the lyrics of the song seem to resonate throughout the film, even if not directly referenced, is such a subtle nod to Tupac himself, a reminder that the loss of greatness can be a profound one. In Tanisha’s loss, it appears that her mother was the glue of the family and her confidante in all things Tupac, especially as Tanisha lovingly holds a Polaroid of her and her mom at the last Tupac concert they went to together.  

Dear Mama reminds us that death is inevitable. Grief will always have a presence even as we try to tamp it down. But in that grief, you can also find the solace and release that you need, especially if you’re willing to go through it. Will Tanisha and Nate find a way to process their loss together? While we may never know, hopefully they find their way to move forward in their new family dynamic.