DVD: Crips And Bloods: Made In America

Most of the world is shocked by the volume and the ferocity of the violence in America. Guns are being bought in astonishing numbers. Video games glorify rape and murder. Movies and television shows take grisly looks into the lives of serial killers and the procedures of murder investigation. It's gruesome stuff. Liberals often point to these examples in their screeds against the violence seen in America's youth, but often the causes are much more complex. The best example of this is the horrific forty year war currently being waged between the Crips and the Bloods, two popular and well-armed gangs in downtown Los Angeles. Even in my hometown of St. Louis - far from the epicenter of this conflict - there were Crips and Bloods fighting and killing one another. It has far-reaching implications. Director Stacy Peralta tackles the rise of this war in the searing new documentary CRIPS AND BLOODS: MADE IN AMERICA. THE FILM Opening with a stunning upside-down helicopter shot of Los Angeles, Peralta dives into the social and economic factors that contributed to the rise of these gangs. Through the use of blatantly honest interviews with former gang members, Peralta does an excellent job of keeping the information exciting and relevant. While many people consider documentaries to be "boring" or "slow", Peralta avoids this problem with high production values. Old photographs leap to life with special effects, and the graphics overall are stunning. The music helps lead the viewer through the decades, with a strong element of hip hop thrown in. While the film does an excellent job tracing how American racism bred gang warfare, I wish the film would have emphasized the sadness underlying that message. For a film that would be most important for the black youths in America, it does an inadequate job underlining how stupid it is for black youths to kill each other when their problems came from the white population. Their continuing cycle of violence and incarceration only increases their poverty and hoplessness. This was a message I wish Peralta would have emphasized with more clarity. Overall, though, this is a masterpiece of social deconstruction and examination. EXTRAS There is the requisite behind the scenes look at the making of the film. It reveals some of the dangers inherent in going into these neighborhoods to interview these subjects. The ones Peralta used in the film are insightful and intelligent young men, and it's truly a shame that they are short-changing themselves in a life of crime. Also included are exclusive interviews with Snoop Dogg and Lil Wayne that are amazing. OVERALL This is an important film for Americans. Racism is still a huge problem in this country. While this film traces racism's effect in creating violence in only one small community, its central message has far-reaching implications for the rest of society. I was stunned by this impressive film.