Live and Die in East LA

After an E.R. doctor treats an injured boy, he is pulled into the world of gangs and street violence in the underbelly of Los Angeles.

Score: 5/10

Director / Writer: Attila Korosi

Starring: Attila Korosi, Michael Flores, Ishaan Bahri, Daniel Hovey, Angel Hovey, Robert LaSardo

Genre: crime drama, indie, experimental

Runtime: 83 min

Release: 2023

Excerpt

As long as the story is solid, the pacing is well managed and everything makes sense, it’s easy to rate an independent film. Unfortunately, this film failed to deliver on most of these metrics, but… I still liked it?

Follow the Leader

Joining a gang seems like a lot of effort for little reward; still, many are still drawn to the allure of comraderie and illegal group activity and Live and Die in East LA is poised to act as both an homage and a deterrent. I love the renegade style of indie film and I’m happy to give a lot of grace to productions that can’t always deliver award winning performances or stellar special effects. As long as the story is solid, the pacing is well managed and everything makes sense, it’s easy to rate an independent film. Unfortunately, this film failed to deliver on most of these metrics, but… I still liked it?

Maybe it’s the potential and maybe it’s the collaboration with Homeboy Industries and GRYD (Gang Reduction & Youth Development) – two organizations looking to end gang violence in Los Angeles. Maybe it’s the authentic ex-gang members who are being so vulnerable and open with their stories, or maybe it’s the inventive animated interstitials that condemn selfishness and backstabbing through the metaphorical tale of an ambitious caterpillar (animated by the talented Mio Yamanaka)?