A groundbreaking documentary created by the community of Watts, California — including rival gang members, police officers, victims of violence, and kids just trying to survive.
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How one of america’s most
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our film is
dedicated to them.
dedicated to them.
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of our friends, family,
more than
of filming,
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2O people chose to participate.
We approached more than
from the community.
They would be the filmmakers, filming exclusively on their phones.
There would be no director, central storyteller, scripts, or stories to tell.
There would be no director, central storyteller, scripts, or stories to tell.
As the editing process unfolds, the filmmakers learn each other’s stories in detail.
As they confront their pasts, a sense of empathy begins to unite them.
After a year of working together, the filmmakers agree on the film’s rough cut.
As they confront their pasts, a sense of empathy begins to unite them.
After a year of working together, the filmmakers agree on the film’s rough cut.
With the film nearly complete, and amid dissent and personal risk, the filmmakers chose to screen the film for Watts’ most violent gang leaders.
For the six months following, the community experiences zero homicides and a 90% reduction in homicides by the film’s end.
The screening leads to honest conversations, with the gang leaders asking for additional screenings with their most active members, and a peace pledge emerges.
A model for other communities in conflict.
90% decrease in homicides in one of America's most violent communities.
Filmed on their smartphones.
No Director, central storyteller, scripts, or filters.
Multi-layered narrative – Personal Stories, Editing Room Debates and Impact.
No Director, central storyteller, scripts, or filters.
Multi-layered narrative – Personal Stories, Editing Room Debates and Impact.
Filmed over three years, with contributions from more than 300 community members, including rival gang members, police officers, victims of violence, and kids just trying to survive.
Featuring artists with over 90 million monthly listeners.
The organization acts as a pass-through fund, distributing resources to trusted community groups.
The nonprofit’s board will consist of the filmmakers who created the documentary and have lived its story.
this is our
if we don't tell it, someone else will
and they'll get it
and they'll get it
wrong.
story.
john singleton director,
boyz n the hood
south central la native
south central la native
Community Activist - Son Victim of Gang Murder
Lawanda Hawkins, after losing her son Reginald to gun violence, founded Justice for Murdered Children. Her non-profit helps grieving families seek justice and healing, symbolized by her «silent march, “ where the shoes of murdered children are laid out to represent their lost lives. Lawanda shares her deeply personal story of grief and resilience. Her advocacy shines through as she pushes for systemic change and gives a voice to the marginalized, ensuring that every family’s pain is seen and acknowledged.
“It just ruined the life that
I had. And I had plans for Reginald... We had dreams.”
I had. And I had plans for Reginald... We had dreams.”
Sean Reynolds: Student, Shot in Watts Qiuana Williams: Mother of Sean Reynolds
Sean Reynolds, a 19-year-old student preparing for college, survives a near-fatal shooting in Watts. His personal experience with violence is at the center of his role in the documentary, as we witness his road to recovery and his views on what it takes for the community to heal. His mother, Qiuana Williams, adds an emotional dimension by recalling the moment she learned her son had been shot, highlighting the trauma families endure alongside victims of violence while advocating for forgiveness, accountability, and change.
“At that moment... he pointed the
gun at me. I remember him shooting at least three shots.”
gun at me. I remember him shooting at least three shots.”
Victim of Violence
Neci McKinney is a single mother who survived an assault and robbery during the documentary’s filming. Her experience highlights the constant dangers faced by women in Watts. Despite these challenges, Neci remains determined to improve her children’s lives. Her story underscores the strength required to survive in a community of instability and violence.
“Every woman here faces this. But we’re strong.”
Gang Member — Bounty Hunter Bloods
Cornelius Wills, a member of the Bounty Hunter Bloods, shares his journey from gang violence to becoming a community advocate. His story reveals the social pressures that lead young men into gangs and the difficult path to redemption. Now, Cornelius is dedicated to supporting youth engagement programs and advocating for change within the community.
“We broke every rule—street
rules, LAPD rules, community rules. We did it to save Watts.”
rules, LAPD rules, community rules. We did it to save Watts.”
Former LAPD Gang Officer
Tim Pearce dedicated his LAPD career to patrolling high-risk areas such as Watts. His narrative is closely intertwined with that of his wife, Kristina Ripatti, who was shot and left paralyzed in the line of duty. Tim carries the emotional burden of witnessing his wife’s life change instantly and copes with the trauma that ensued. Now retired, Tim adds significant depth and understanding to policing efforts.
“If I grew up here, I’d
be a thug. I know myself.”
be a thug. I know myself.”
Former LAPD, Shot and Paralyzed in the Line of Duty
Former LAPD officer Kristina Ripatti became paralyzed after being shot while responding to a robbery. Her story exemplifies profound resilience, as she overcame emotional and physical trauma to not only survive but thrive, ultimately earning her PhD in clinical therapy. In the documentary, she reflects on her struggles with depression and addiction, offering hope through her current work counseling others who have endured similar traumas.
"The trauma of the shooting… everything
that I held inside. The second I stopped to slow down, everything just crashed."
that I held inside. The second I stopped to slow down, everything just crashed."
Meryland Gonzalez is an 18-year-old Olympic boxing hopeful who found strength and purpose despite growing up in a community marked by violence. Her family’s support of her passion for boxing has driven her toward national success. Her goal is to represent the U.S. in the 2028 Olympics. Meryland’s journey highlights the importance of family support and the positive influence of structured activities in youth development.
Olympic Boxing Hopeful
“I walk with my mom to school and I see
dead bodies on the ground. I’m not scared. I’m not shocked, I am numb.”
dead bodies on the ground. I’m not scared. I’m not shocked, I am numb.”
Tyrone Riley Sr., a former gang member turned basketball coach, mentors young athletes in Watts, guiding them away from street life. His son, Tyrone Jr., is a student-athlete with aspirations of college sports. Their intertwined stories highlight the power of family support and the role of sports in providing positive outlets for youth in a community struggling with violence
High School Basketball Coach Former Grape Street Crip Gang Member
“I don’t condone what the hood does.
But I came from it. So I understand it.”
But I came from it. So I understand it.”
Erik Loomis is a police officer whose candid reflections humanize the difficult task of policing in high-crime areas like Watts. Through his struggles with trauma and vulnerability, Erik offers viewers insight into the complexities of law enforcement and the emotional toll it can take. His story bridges the police and the community, advocating for empathy and understanding.
LAPD Officer
“At one point his mom put little shoes
on him... He was somebody’s something.”
on him... He was somebody’s something.”
Emily Avalos, an 18-year-old student from Watts, offers a personal account of growing up in a violent environment. Her brother was brutally beaten during «Mexican Friday, ” an event that left a lasting impact on her family. Despite the trauma, Emily is committed to her education and breaking the cycle of violence in her community, embodying the resilience of the youth in Watts.
Student, Brother a victim of "Mexican Friday"
“Those Mexican Fridays were days
where gang members would go and beat up Hispanics.”
where gang members would go and beat up Hispanics.”
Celeste Garnica, a 20-year-old student, dreams of becoming a nurse. Despite growing up surrounded by gang violence and facing obstacles in the college application process, she remains determined. Her journey, culminating in her acceptance to Northeastern University, represents the perseverance required to overcome the systemic barriers students in underserved communities like Watts face.
Student applying to college
"I was so afraid of being the next
victim, that I would bundle up in scarves and jackets."
victim, that I would bundle up in scarves and jackets."
As a homicide detective, she sees her role as a mission to bring justice and closure to those affected by violence. Her brother and sister, who were killed due to violence, serve as a reminder that everyone is impacted by violence and motivate her to serve the community with a sense of empathy and understanding many will never have.
Homicide Detective Her Brother and Sister Victims of Murder
“I serve with empathy — because
I know what loss feels like.”
I know what loss feels like.”
Jaime Gregory, a former gang member, transformed his life after his brother was murdered in 2014. Now a community activist, Jaime works to prevent others from falling into the same cycle of violence. His raw reflections on gang life provide a sobering look at the social dynamics in Watts, and his work as a peacebuilder encourages others to choose a path of redemption and change.
Former Gang Member, Peace Activist Following His Brother’s Murder
“It was my brother's death that changed everything for me.”
Former gang member Pastor Jose Hernandez has become a beacon of hope in Watts. His journey from gang life to leading a multicultural church highlights the redemptive power of faith. Through his work, Jose helps at risk youth avoid the same choices he made, offering guidance and mentorship to break the cycle of violence in the community.
Former Gang Member Turned Pastor
"When I was growing up, you became part of a gang to survive. You don’t have a father? Well, now big homie is your father figure."