Once Upon a Time in the Hood (2004)

In the gang infested neighborhoods nearby Chicago's Little Village, Raul follows in the footsteps of his older brother Freddy.  Raul's destiny as a member of the Latin Crowns street gang ... See full summary »

Director:

Juan Frausto

Writers:

Juan Frausto, David J. Miller

Stars:

Eric Aviles, Aimee Bravo, Carmen Cenko

Cast

Credited cast:
Eric Aviles	...	Chava
Aimee Bravo	...	Brenda
Carmen Cenko	...	Magda
Ivan Chaparro	...	Sancho
Michael Cortez	...	Lucky
Noah Cortez	...	Esteban
Donato Cruz	...	Toothpick
Leroy De la Cruz	...	Negro
Christina De Leon	...	Cara
Rosa Isela Frausto	...	Cashier
Wendy George	...	Maria
Judy Carmen Gonzalez	...	Lady Who Was Shot Outside
Chimme Hernandez	...	Trina
Randy Loiseau	...	Tyrone
Joel Maisonet	...	Pony

Storyline

In the gang infested neighborhoods nearby Chicago's Little Village, Raul follows in the footsteps of his older brother Freddy.  Raul's destiny as a member of the Latin Crowns street gang seems predetermined, but when he falls in love with an innocent young woman and his brother is shot under questionable circumstances, Raul decides to leave the gang.     This quest to go straight becomes more and more difficult as he finds himself entangled with the newest member of the gang, and as the violence of their day to day life on the street intensifies.     When the gang begins to fall apart around him, Raul's loyalty is questioned on every front and he becomes caught in the middle of a spiraling series of events that jeopardize every aspect of his life.

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Plot Keywords:

gang | urban setting | once upon a time in the title | 

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Taglines:

You live by the streets. You die by the streets.

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Genres:

Action

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Details

Official Sites:

Mindlight Films

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

July 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Into the Gangland

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$200,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mindlight Films, Orta-Mex Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

References Drive by (2002)

User Reviews

Gritty urban Latino film with brilliant twist!

I really liked this film. It is set in the gang infested neighbourhood nearby Chicago's Little Village. Raul's destiny as a member of the Latin Crowns street gang seems predetermined, more out of circumstance rather than making the choice to be a gang banger. Raul (Mauricio Mesa) seems to simply be following in the footsteps of his older brother Freddy.

The film moved along at a steady pace. It kept you hooked and there was never a moment that I felt bored. In particular the lasting images that I have of the film are that of blood and gore and tormented teenage souls.

Raul's relationship in the film is touching because it is so pure and seemedly unaffected from his gang banging lifestyle, where women are their lifestyle are treated merely as sex objects (a gang bang in exchange for coke is one of the scenes that comes to mind.

In summary I say watch it. There is the blossoming love story, betrayal, deceit and lots of shooting. Ingredients for any good film.