Crips and Bloods: Made in America (2008)
Crips and Bloods: Made in America (USA) Directed by Stacey Peralta
With The History Channel’s series Gangland, and countless other books and documentaries covering this same subject, there is no real “new” information to be gleaned here. Still, director Stacey Peralta, the ex professional skateboarder who made Dogtown and Z-Boys and Riding Giants, turns his focus to problems that occurred only miles from where he was born and raised. Narrated by actor Forrest Whitaker, Peralta talks to a host of ex-gang members (and a few current ones) of various ages about the issue, and some are quite eloquent in discussing the gang phenomena. The film is at its best giving us a history lesson about how blacks came east for jobs during WWII. After the war, auto manufacturing plants opened in Southern California during the late 40s & 50s, providing jobs for these same people. While these new residents were redlined by real estate covenants into living in the area we now know as South Central L.A., on the whole they were at least enjoying the benefits of a lower class to middle class existence not far removed from many of their white contemporaries of the period. However, the plants closed as the country began to move to more a technologically based manufacturing system, leaving a huge number of these people without jobs. Because they were lacking education, as well as transferable skills, there was simply no opportunities available. The film describes the 60s black power movement, the Watts riots of 1965, and how the extermination of pride groups like the Back Panthers (with the incarceration and execution of many of their leaders), as well as the assassination of several key national political figures led to a feeling of hopelessness in the black community. Later, we hear about the 1992 LA riots, which arose in response to economic factors, frustration, and a militaristic Los Angeles Police Department that had been abusing African Americans for years. The development of The Crips and The Bloods is touched upon, although truthfully other docs have gone into greater detail about the formation of the actual gangs. While there is no inclusion of any voices from law enforcement, or for that matter a single person dissenting from the unified slant of the film, the overall piece is reasonably well handled. Peralta’s obvious focus, talking to Jim Brown, and other gang prevention leaders, is to paint these young male gang members past, present, and future as human beings, and the problem as a socio-economic one tied to many factors that we, as a just American society, must share a responsibility for. Schwartzenegger signed legislation in 2007 to build 40,000 more prison beds. We should know by now that warehousing these men isn’t the answer. While it’s completely the prerogative of the filmmaker, the piece might have been enhanced by some outside voices that could have potentially sparked some debate within the context of the film - too often this feels like a community service “message” video instead of a piece of film journalism. At one point Peralta shows a series of mothers (many in tears) who have had children murdered in the gang wars (15,000 in all have died). While this decision is certainly as valid as many of the creative techniques (recreations, etc.) employed by documentary makers today it further tilts the film in the direction of having a singular perspective and agenda. On the other hand, Peralta does not attempt to glorify the lifestyle in any way, and the effort seems heartfelt. Flawed, but arresting.