Sign up for our newsletter and receive the coolest updates! You see this same willful blindness in the PBS documentary They Call Us Monsters. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to watch the film, as it provided me insight into the lives of an often-forgotten part of the population, educated me on the debate, about juvenile justice reform, and left me with a hunger to learn more. Juan:Yes, I saw the movie, before release. In the past few years, however, officials in many states and in Washington, D.C., have been rethinking the clampdown. To their victims, theyre monsters. Juan, who joined a gang before his 13th birthday as a way to gain respect, and who has been charged with fatally shooting a man three times at point blank range and says, "I really was a monster. They found him along the 4000 block of Green Tree Drive Wednesday and took him into custody. . being generous here 7 million pit bulls and Rottweilers and other dangerous breeds. We've posted their answers below, and also included the original letters if you'd like to see an authentically handwritten. Review: They Call Us Monsters, but Do We Deserve Life Sentences? Categories Trending Tags They Call Us Monsters Leave a comment. So most of the time, its easier for them to just be kids when theyre locked up.. Unrated Starring Allegra Acosta, Nate Corddry, Gabriel Cowan. Yes, they have a lot of free time on their hands, but that didnt guarantee theyd be comfortable writing back to us, to answer questions about their experience making the film and what theyve been up to since. All rights reserved. Not just in the throes of puberty and adolescence but of self-discovery and coming of age.. Nevertheless, it proved to be very insightful because I [saw] how I was coping with pain, hurt and the fact I forfeited my freedom. His story became one of the main themes in their film. To pass the time, they sign up for a screenwriting class and collaborate on a short film about their lives, including Juan's unrequited love for his childhood friend, Abigail. I really was." We are committed to transparency in every aspect of funding our organization. that, according to Budnick, Cowan, Lear and other prison-reform policy advocates, differentiates the young person from the adult. A part of PBS, America's Home for Documentaries, We thought viewers of Ben Lears They Call Us Monsters may be interested in hearing from the young men featured in the film. (https://jjie.org/2017/02/08/meet-the-monsters-documentary-looks-at-california-juvenile-debate/). Language. While in the courthouse representing himself for the hearing about her murder, he asked the judge if he could use the law . While the gravity of their crimes is great, these young men are still simply teenagers. Crime Meet Juan, Jarad, and Antonio, all in their teens, all facing decades in prison. Maybe that journey toward remorse and responsibility is different for everyone. "There's homies and there's enemies,"he says they told him. Antonio admits he feels no remorse for his actions, and his promising new start sours soon after his release. Musica para Noticias 2 - Musica para Noticias. As Lear describes it, nothing could have prepared him for what he encountered once he walked into the prison: this was a classroom full of kids these were teenagers that are so obviously that age. Focused on the specific stories of Jarad, Antonio, and Juan, the latter two exemplifying the large Latinopopulation that often finds itself behind bars, the project shows us how a screenwriting class allows these boys to think back to what drove them to where they are currently. They Call Us Monsters, directed by Ben Lear (Norman Lears son), might seem like a straightforward advocacy documentary. The Center aims to discover new ways to produce financially sustainable, high quality and ethically sound journalism via applied research, collaborations and advancing innovative projects. Let me clarify, I dont think juveniles should just be let free or given a slap on the wrist. sonido original - Antonio Hernandez. Antonio, 14, is the most studious. Juan, Jarad, and Antonio, all between 14 and 16, face decades in prison. sonido original - PABLO CS. The first individual we come across is Antonio, who was arrested at the age of 14-years-old. Another leads you on a mocking tour of his new home. In other words, hes a boy. 2017. The short film, LOS, was written by Juan Gamez, Jarad Nava and Antonio Hernandez. Juan Gamez, Antonio Hernandez and Jarad Nava are the youthful offenders at the heart of "They Call Us Monsters," a new documentary that follows their lives in a Los Angeles juvenile detention center. Edit your text regarding the suggestions. Because the prisoners became so vulnerable, I felt connected to them and their raw humanity in a way I did not expect given their crimes. Antonio has since re-offended. To others, they're monsters. The film documents one of his first visits, when he asksthe group to list their fears. Juan says, I really was a monster, and the film includes surveillance video of the killing that put him behind bars. And in 2016, state voters approved a ballot measure that takes the decision on whether a teen should stand trial as an adult away from prosecutors and puts it in the hands of a juvenile court judge. Summary. Ben Lear makes his directorial debut with "They Call Us Monsters," a searing but sensitive documentary following the experiences of juvenile offenders through the justice system.His father, Norman, used the form of the sitcom to hold a mirror up to American culture, but Ben takes a more direct approach with his non-fiction work, and the intuitive observation displayed in this film shows . sonido original - joxls . He asks them to write down five things they fear. Halfway through the class, Antonio returns to juvenile court and is released with time served but, back in the neighborhood, quickly falls into the same patterns of drug use and gang life that led to his incarceration in the first place. Cast and crew Ben Lear Director Jarad Nava Juan Gamez Antonio Hernandez Darrell Edwards Additional information Directors Ben Lear Studio The Orchard Subtitles English (CC) Released year 2017 Duration 1 h 21 min Genres Documentary Foreign/Independent Size 4.67 GB (1080p HD) 2.18 GB (720p HD) 1.65 GB (SD) His face during this moment, the flicker of anguish and regret, is full of pathos. Their stories are framed by their participation in a screenwriting class taught by Gabriel Cowan, one of the documentarys producers and by the debate among California lawmakers over a bill that would grant young offenders with lengthy terms a chance at parole after 15 years. Next, Jarad sings a lyric from Hotel California that again captures the No Exit quality of the whole story: You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.. Ive since chosento leave the criminal lifestyle in my past and serve my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As Newt Gingrich says in a news clip at the start of Lears film, There are no violent offenses that are juvenile; you rape somebody, youre an adult; you shoot somebody, youre an adult.. They Call Us Monsters - Where to Watch and Stream They Call Us Monsters Overview Cast Meet Juan, Jarad, and Antonio, all in their teens, all facing decades in prison. about brain development in teenagers that found the part of the brain that regulates judgment, decision-making and impulse control doesnt fully form until a person is in their 20s. He attended the Compound as part of InsideOUT Writers, an organization that uses creative writing programs as a way to aid in the rehabilitation of prison inmates. Lear's documentary follows three boys living in such a compound who signed up for a screenwriting class: Antonio Hernandez, Jarad Nava, and Juan Gamez. December 21, . [2][3], The documentary follows three young juvenile offenders who signed up for a screenwriting class with producer Gabriel Cowan as they await their respective trials in Los Angeles County. I was filled with conflicting emotions throughout. Supporters of that measure cited new science about brain development in teenagers that found the part of the brain that regulates judgment, decision-making and impulse control doesnt fully form until a person is in their 20s. Juan and Jarad were 16 when they were arrested; Antonio was 14. Lear, the son of television producer and liberal activist Norman Lear, was drawn to the issue after he was invited to sit in on one of the scriptwriting classes run by, , a Los Angeles-based organization that teaches creative writing to kids in juvenile lockups. The problem could be stopped before it reaches this how does a teen get a gun is never questioned. Since rehabilitation programs continue to be underfunded, the recidivism rate isnt likely to go down. We meet Jarad (arrested at 16), Antonio (at 14), and Juan (at 16) when theyre about to be tried, each facing 90 plus years in prison. He receives a letter from Jarad. He approached fellow InsideOUT board member and founder of. Juan, Jarad and Antonio, all young teens, face decades in prison. goes behind the walls of the Compound, a high-security facility where Los Angeles houses its most violent juvenile criminals. Documentary 2017 1 hr 21 min iTunes. Written By. Another, Juan, who joined a gang before his 13th birthday, faces 90. You can see them hugging, you can see they felt a lot of success together, they went through a real experience together.. The focus of InsideOUT is usually poetry and prose (alumni participate in group gatherings called Writing Circles, where young people come together to share their work and talk). I do not think so. After watching the documentary They Call Us Monsters at the University of Redlands Orton Center last Thursday, I was left with these questions. Read more, EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE POLICY Aiming to de-stigmatize California's incarcerated juveniles, a documentary entitled They Call Us Monsters sheds light on the lives of those incarcerated and the state's legislative debate over juvenile sentencing reform. Upload your text file or copy the materials to the field. I saw the boys experience a wide breadth of emotions, and the emotional walls they built up start coming down. Cowan saysthe juvenile justice system in California is broken. Each one teach one.. To the system, theyre adults. To their advocates, they're kids. 9.2K Likes, 42 Comments. Find out where to watch online amongst 45+ services including Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video. Read more, FUNDER TRANSPARENCY POLICY SB 260 may have finally passed in California, as well as Prop 57, but most states still impose juvenile life sentences with no chance of parole. As the film reveals, in the last four years, the state has passed bills to decrease juvenile sentencing a move that re-sparked a national debate over the very nature of these violent juvenile offenders. were being prosecuted in adult courts every year, according to the Campaign for Youth Justice, which opposes the practice. "They Call Us Monsters" looks at societal issues such as the processing of juvenile offenders ages 14-16 in the criminal justice system as adults. Rent $4.99. Eventually, police were able to identify the suspect as 19-year-old Antonio Hernandez. Jarad Nava and Antonio Hernandez (Hernandez is released partway . Of course, aging out of crime and violence can also be offset by a prison culture that doesnt allow you to change. Are you allowed to watch anything? braids together footage from the class with clips from the fictional film that the teens wrote. I cant think of anything specific other than Im grateful so many people have embrace[d] our story and joined the prison reform movement (one way or the other). To pass the time, they sign up for a screenwriting class and collaborate on a short film about their lives, including Juan's unrequited love for his childhood friend, Abigail. Halfway through the class, Antonio returns to juvenile court and gets released with time served. Also, the story of my family, [e]specially my moms.. Jarad, who will be eligible for parole in 2037, wrote in a letter to PBS that hes chosento leave the criminal lifestyle in my past and serve my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Juan is eligible for parole in 2027. His statement, I was a monster, I really was, is the crux of the film: he joined a gang before his thirteenth birthday to emulate his brother. Copyright 2023 Salon.com, LLC. .tiktok-ze5eiw-SpanViews{-webkit-flex-shrink:0;-ms-flex-negative:0;flex-shrink:0;padding-right:12px;color:rgba(22, 24, 35, .75);}5500 views|.tiktok-15ooo5t-H4Link{font-family:ProximaNova,Arial,Tahoma,PingFangSC,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;display:inline;color:rgba(22, 24, 35, .75);margin-left:12px;}.tiktok-15ooo5t-H4Link a{color:rgba(22, 24, 35, .75);}, Antonio hernandez (@edgar_heernadez)s videos with sonido original - joxls | TikTok. They Call US Monsters Where Are They Now? Since the documentary was produced in 2013, the initial parole bill, SB 230, passed, along with other bills that decrease juvenile sentencing. Watch They Call us Monsters 2016 full Movie free, download they call us monsters 2016. Juan:Man, theres so many things the audience dont get to see, especially the fact that Im grown now. Jarad and Juan are currently serving the remainder of their sentence at Ironwood state prison. Advertisement. I dont know if its because I was acting like a fool. But we did hear back from Juan Gamez and Jarad Nava, both of whom are currently serving life sentences. Theres not only capacity for change, theres also that oft-forgotten glimmer of a thing called hope. This is true for Juan as well, who has a 90-year sentence. I appreciated that the consequences of such serious crimes were not swept under the rug: a victim of one of the shootings shares her story, and a large part of the film follows the struggles of the prisoners families. This means these kids could get a second chance. The documentary "They Call Us Monsters" explored the life of three juvenile offenders, i.e. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Read more, Copyright 2023, Juvenile Justice Information Exchange. Roxanne - Instrumental - Califa Azul. In They Call Us Monsters, Jarad Nava, Juan Gamez, and Antonio Hernandez are teenage inmates at Sylmar Juvenile Hall in Los Angeles.What makes that such a big deal? Juan, Jarad and Antonio, all between 14 and 16, face decades in prison. Documentary. If they weren't waiting for a trial for a crime they committed, they appear to be typical American teenagers. Jarad and Juan are currently serving the remainder of their sentence at Ironwood state prison. Anyone can read what you share. The film follows three juveniles: Juan Gamez, Antonio Hernandez and Jarad Nava. Are there any TV or movies that would inspire you in trying to do your own film? The protagonist of Los emanates vulnerability where the boys act tough and make jokes as a form of self-protection. 7.0 1 h 21 min 2016 X-Ray 16+. Instead of facing my life I numbed myself to it and behaved immaturely.. However, he re-entered prison after being tried as an adult for two robberies. Yet, I also felt the film was successful in demonstrating that these are no little Charles Mansons, as a state senator in the documentary called them. The miscreants alluded to in the title of the documentary "They Call Us Monsters" are a trio of teenage boys, incarcerated in a California juvenile detention facility for charges ranging. I have to admit that it was weird to see myself from an outside perspective. The film follows three juvenile offenders: Juan Gamez, Antonio Hernandez and Jarad Nava who signed up for a screenwriting class. Recidivism, understood as a persons relapse into criminal behavior, often after the person receives sanctions or undergoes intervention for a previous crime, is a key statistic that tells lawmakers and law enforcement how likely those who have gone through the system are likely to find themselves back into it. Cowan says that getting the teens to open up to him was a long and sometimes difficult process. As part of the Kennesaw State University community we are committed to creating a culture of inclusion through our journalism and operations. They're held in a special wing of the lockup reserved for teens who will be standing trial as adults. I havent done drugs in three years [as] opposed to getting high every day. Antonio Hernandez (arrested at age 14) and Jarad Nava (arrested at 16) are both charged with multiple counts of attempted murder; Juan Gamez (also arrested at 16) is charged with first-degree. The film follows three juveniles: Juan Gamez, Antonio Hernandez and Jarad Nava. In Jarads case, he'll likelycome up for parole in 20-25 years, instead of the 80 or 90 years he would have had with a 160-year sentence. Justice is not to seek retribution or eye for an eye, but there were homicides what they did and must pay in that sense. Arrested at 16, Jarad faces 200 years-to-life for four attempted murders; Juan, also arrested at 16, faces 90-to-life for first-degree murder; Antonio was arrested at 14 and faces 90-to-life for two attempted murders.[4]. 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