Review of The Film "They Call Us Monsters"

Review of the film, “They Call Us Monsters”This documentary is provocative and follows three juvenile offenders housed in a Juvenile facility, pending their trials, in the Los Angeles County Juvenile court system. The three adolescents signed up to take a screenwriting class and thus, this documentary follows closely both their progress through the screenwriter’s program, but also showcases the story behind their lives, the pending charges they face, and how they travel through the justice system accordingly. All three young men face life sentences for their crimes. The first offender profiled is Jarad, who was age 16 at his arrest and faces charges of four attempted murders. The next young man is Antonio, arrested at age 14 on two attempted murder charges.

And last is Juan, arrested at age 16 for a charge of first-degree murder. The trend of charging youth as adults in cases results from a turning point in the 21st century with contentions “American society at present exudes a deep-rooted hostility and chilling fear about youth. ” (Kristen A. Bates, 2014) The crimes these young offenders in the documentary face are serious, violent felonies with guilty verdicts that carry life sentences in an adult prison, most likely, a maximum security penitentiary. Jarad, 16 begins the screenwriter’s program insecure and uncomfortable about how to take the program seriously and struggles to assist in developing a real script which will then be cast into a film. Jarad’s family is interviewed about his upbringing and their beliefs for why he ended up in the system. Jarad’s stepfather emotionally admits to trying to take his own life, by stabbing himself several times when Jarad was just 12 years old, and reluctantly yields this could have impacted Jarad significantly. Jarad’s victim, a 17 year old young woman, emotionally discusses the trauma she experienced from being shot point blank in a drive by car shooting which left her paralyzed from the waist down. Antonio who was 14 at his arrest, could in the state of California, be charged as an adult. Antonio was arrested on two charges of attempted murder. He is goofy like a typical 14 year old adolescent, but also presents himself as educated, showing the filmmaker his collection of pamphlets of many different agencies such as the Navy Seal Program and stating he had read every single one. Antonio eventually is released for time served but struggles to reacclimate to life in his community.

Following Antonio through this transition, the filmmaker shows the reality of the struggle parolees face upon their release. Upon release his mother is evicted from her home and forced to take up with her sister, whom together they have four toddler aged children. Antonio tells the viewers that he does not have any space for his own ( ), and that the arrangement at the home will not be beneficial, thus sending him back onto the streets. Antonio quickly falls back into drugs, and at the end of the film its revealed he was eventually arrested for armed robberies. Juan, age 16 at his arrest, is charged with first degree murder. Originally from El Salvador, he faces deportation. Juan’s family, including his infant son are featured in the film, with his brother describing his role in Juan’s joining the gang and trying to be like his brother. Juan felt pressured by the gang to commit the crime he was accused of, and admits to the viewers his role in the crime. Screenwriter Gabe uses a combination of humor, sternness and understanding to gain the boy’s trust and ultimately, impacts their desire to take the screen writing process more seriously. As Jarad and Juan await their trials and outcomes, they continue to write and critique Gabe’s outline for their film, offering critiques of Gabe’s depiction of a Latin name, or disparaging his suggestion for a particular scene.

Drawing upon their own backgrounds, the boys each contribute to the scenes with examples from real life experiences based on their own lives, or gang portrayals they’ve faced. The film plays a clip from former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich who stated in the film, “There are no violent offenses that are juvenile; you rape somebody, you’re an adult. You shoot somebody; you’re an adult. ” (Betancourt, Manuel (2017, June 29). 5 Heartbreaking Facts From “They Call us Monsters” Doc on Latino Teens Facing Life in Jail. Remezcla. Retrieved from http://remezcla. com/lists/film/they-call-us-monsters-documentary-juvenile-justice-system/. The statement from Gingrich powerfully conveys how juveniles who commit violent crimes are in the courts opinion, adult offenses. The subject of prison reform, juvenile imprisonment and rehabilitation are brought into mind with this documentary film. Juan and Jarad, both age 16, are charged as adults for their crimes. Jarad is sentenced to 160 years in prison to life, for charges of four attempted murders and soon is transferred to prison for adults. Juan’s story doesn’t end with a conclusion or decision on the deportation possibility, but Juan appears vastly different in the follow up video, where he reflects on his naivety and what led him to commit the crime. Under California Law, adolescents age 14-17 charged with violent crimes can be tried as adults.

The introduction of SB-260 allowed parole hearings for juvenile offenders at 15 and 25 years if convicted and serving life sentences. The premise of the law is to allow youth offenders to demonstrate they are rehabilitated and return to civilian life is possible. Fair Sentencing for Youth. (2018). Senate Bill 260- Justice for Juveniles with Adult Prison Sentences. Jarad, is his interrogation, although was advised of his right’s to an attorney and his right to remain silent, was not allowed to consult a parent or guardian. Jarad was interrogated multiple times without counsel or a parent. For a minor, this intimidation tactic, and consequential charges for murder led to his conviction and subsequent concurrent life sentences. Juan’s initiation into gang life was brought about by his life circumstances and his brother’s role in gang life. Juan was brought into the gang by a family member and found gang life a necessity for protection and circumstances in his life. With what some might view as inadequate legal representation, with no offer of any plea deal, both Jarad and Juan are at the mercy of the prosecution’s charges and subsequential recommendation for sentencing. With the introduction and passing of the Senate Bill 260, Jarad will now be eligible for parole at age 43, given an exemplary prison record and his ability to show rehabilitation to a parole board. Examination further of Senate Bill 260 through The Fair Sentencing for Youth Organization (2018), states SB-260 was enacted in January 2014. Brought about by widespread concerns for youth offenders who received adult prison sentences with little hope for rehabilitation or restitution.

The California Supreme Court ruled on this matter and held that sentences that were not for homicides, which go beyond an individual’s life expectancy was unconstitutional and SB-260 was the legislative response to this issue. “They Call Us Monsters” provides insightful footage into the minds of these youth offenders who face significant obstacles ahead, both in the court system as they await their hearings, and in life. The reality behind these young adolescents is their minds are still developing and they haven’t fully grasped the gravity of the road ahead. Their crimes although severe and ultimately, deadly, were brought about circumstances of the environments they grew up in. All three adolescents come from homes surrounded by hardships of poverty, violence, drugs and a community embattled with gang dominance. Both Jarad and Juan joined neighborhood gangs early in their youth and this heavily contributed to their demise and resulting participations in criminal activity. Although the criminal activity and heinous crimes committed by adolescents like Juan, Jarad, and Antonio is not excusable, there must be better rehabilitative programs for offenders who ultimately, like Antonio, will re-enter society. Simply charging a youth offender as an adult and sentencing them to adult sentences is not deterring other potential offenders, nor has it been shown to make an impact on whether that offender repents for their crimes. Youth offenders make the choice ultimately to commit the crime, but still deserve an opportunity to be educated on the symptoms for their actions.