Crips and Bloods: Made in America (2008)

With a first-person look at the notorious Crips and Bloods, this film examines the conditions that have lead to decades of devastating gang violence among young African Americans growing up in South Los Angeles.

Director:

Stacy Peralta

Writers:

Stacy Peralta, Sam George

Stars:

Jim Brown, Tony Muhammad, Kershaun Scott

2 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Jim Brown	...	Himself
Tony Muhammad	...	Himself (as Minister Tony Muhammad)
Kershaun Scott	...	Himself
Forest Whitaker	...	Narrator

Storyline

With a first-person look at the notorious Crips and Bloods, this film examines the conditions that have lead to decades of devastating gang violence among young African Americans growing up in South Los Angeles.

---

Genres:

Documentary | Crime

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

PBS

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 January 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Gangs of L.A.

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,537, 25 January 2009, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$69,562, 29 March 2009

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Gang Documentary, Balance Vector Productions, Verso Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Dinner for Five: Episode #4.9 (2005)

---

Soundtracks

Purrfect
Performed by Funki Porcini (as Funk Porcini)

User Reviews

Amazing documentary, don't get why people have criticized it...

I would like to start right off by saying that those of you who have criticized this film for being one sided propaganda, flashy, too much like a music video, exaggerated, etc. etc. have no idea what you are talking about

For the past 10 years I have worked as a bartender in nightclubs in the LA area. I got to know a lot of people from South Central LA, including a lot of gangsters and gang bangers, both black and Hispanic, and I have a few friends that live in that area. Unless you have been there yourself, you do not know anything about South Central. It is a no man's land, miles of run down houses and buildings, blocks of empty lots, liquor stores and pawn shops, as the film indicates. The schools are in shambles, with over crowding, no music, no art. There are no parks, no museums, no nothing. You try living like that.

A few weeks ago, I found a stray dog there on the corner and I took it home, a week later there was a gang shooting on the same corner, A 19 year old had been shot and killed with an AK47.

I used to think people were exaggerating, but clearly I was wrong. We're all a product of our surroundings, and this truly is a kill or be killed environment, and it's not just the gang bangers that own guns.

I do not condone their behavior, but I have to say that most of the guys I have met, were good guys that ended up in a terrible way of life. And don't forget most of them got involved in gangs when they just kids, usually about 10 years old. So it's easy to see how they can get caught up in this violent, oppressive, hopeless, maze, that our society doesn't care about. Add to that any personal challenges such as a dysfunctional home, low self esteem, addiction, etc. etc and you have a recipe for disaster. Oh, and let's not forget about how many guns and assault rifles are on the street, thanks to the NRA.

Also, I saw this film on PBS which is a network known for quality programming, so I highly doubt they would have aired it if it were not an authentic documentary. I also doubt Forrest Whitaker would have narrated it, and he is from there, he would know.

Again I don't think the gang thing is OK, but this problem did not come out of a vacuum, and that's the point of the film, that there are events and circumstances that have created this problem.

Growing up I faced a lot of challenges, a crazy family, problems with drugs and alcohol, depression, low self esteem, and I am a white female who lived in a nice neighborhood. I cannot imagine adding to it all of the above, I think it would have pushed me over the edge.

This film is the real deal no matter what the critics say.