Are you still interested in screenwriting and filmmaking and would you try to do that again even though youre incarcerated? Fathers in prison. Moved by his friends predicament, he says that he wants to become successful for him. Are you allowed to watch anything? sonido original - PABLO CS. To some, they're kids. Antonio Hernandez (@antoniohernandez5046)s videos with sonido original - Antonio Hernandez | TikTok. 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. I do not agree. You have to turn your life around to get parole. Though not everyone would be lucky enough to benefit from this process a whole other story some people who were serving life sentences for offenses they had committed as youths suddenly found themselves eligible for release. Jarad makes a joke of it, but Antonio says, Trust, fear of vulnerability, fear of public speaking and fear of being alone. Juan says, Fear of death, loneliness, darkness and love., The love story is the heart of the film, Lear says. When Hernandez talks to the filmmakers at home, there are toddlers strewn all . I dont know if its because I was acting like a fool. As prison reform continues to be a hot topic of conversation, Ben Lears They Call Us Monsters hopes to give voice to those inside the Compound. The 2016 released documentary inspects the experience of three juvenile prisoners facing life time imprisonment in Los Angeles Juvenile Detention Centre. They Call Us Monsters goes behind the walls of the Compound, a high-security facility where Los Angeles houses its most violent juvenile criminals. At times Jarad, who faces 200 years for four attempted murders, demonstrates an almost dissociative denial that borders on sociopathic. She weeps as she talks about the harrowing moment in which she thought she was going to die. Powerful new documentary 'They Call Us Monsters' follows three teen boys who face life sentences for their violent crimes. See production, box office & company info, Self - California State Assembly Member (D). Juan:Yes, I saw the movie, before release. Categories Trending Tags They Call Us Monsters Leave a comment. TikTok video from Antonio Hernandez (@antoniohernandez5046). 2023 Independent Television Service (ITVS). "Juan Gamez, Antonio Hernandez and Jara Nava are the youthful offenders at the heart ofa new documentary that follows their lives in a Los Angeles juvenile detention . If I learned one thing about myself Id say it is that the camera loves me. Juvenile court judges had made that decision until 2000, when a referendum gave prosecutors the power to try teens as adults for certain serious crimes. As a result of making They Call Us Monsters, his first film, Lear sits on the advisory board of InsideOUT Writers and is an aly member within the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, teaching a weekly writing class within the Compound and mentoring former juvenile offenders under reentry. You can see why we need to ask for your help. Sitting in his white undershirt, he tries to reconcile the number of years Jarad still has left on his sentence: 162. Juan and Jarad were 16 when they were arrested; Antonio was 14. Antonio has since re-offended. He went as research for a script, expecting to meet the kind of scary characters hed seen in the movies but instead, he found a classroom full of kids., That inspired him to make the documentary, which uses a montage of news reports to illustrate the late 20th century spike in juvenile crime and the punitive response that followed a broad expansion in the offenses and ages for which a teen could stand trial as an adult. I want the film to reach those legislative buildings, those communities, to start a conversation around this population and how it should be treated.. Weve posted their answers below, and also included the original letters if youd like to see an authentically handwritten response. Over the course of a few months, Learfilmed Cowan working with three teenagers -- Juan Gamez, Jarad Nava and Antonio Hernandez -- who were awaiting trial, some facing sentences more than 100 years long. These people have to do their time. To others, they're monsters. The finished film, Los, can be viewed at http://insideoutwriters.org. Even if he appears remorseless, there seems to be a softness there, or maybe just a deep need for approval. This documentary, directed by Ben Lear (the son of legendary TV producer Norman Lear), is one of the few I have seen to . 7.0 1 h 21 min 2016 X-Ray 16+. Antonio Hernandez & Omar Montes 01:00 220 They Call Me Monster Mike Monster Mike Welch 01:00 1 What They Call Us? He wrote that he is grateful so many people have embrace[d] our story and join the prison reform movement. While in prison, he is going to college fulltime and making strong grades. To their victims, theyre monsters. Copyright 2023 Salon.com, LLC. To the system, theyre adults. Legislators debate legislation that allows for adult charges for juvenile offenders.Legislators debate legislation that allows for adult charges for juvenile offenders.Legislators debate legislation that allows for adult charges for juvenile offenders. They Call Us Monsters is a 2016 American documentary directed and produced by Ben Lear. To others, they're monsters. Thats why you need programs like InsideOUT and college., In the fifth writing class, Cowan introduces the topic of character motivation, telling the kids that conflict and fear are essential in driving plot. Its not an excuse by any means. "They Call Us Monsters," a film by Norman Lear's son Ben Lear, was released earlier this year and became available on Netflix in late May. Edit your text regarding the suggestions. In California, the parole bill featured in Monsters ultimately passed in 2013. Jarad Nava and Antonio Hernandez (Hernandez is released partway . Receive a report. Its a lot harder for him to find drugs. To others, they're monsters Juan, Jarad and Antonio, all young teens, face decades in prison. The proposed bill. In fact, since the human brain isnt fully developed until the age of 25, teens are less likely to understand risk and consequences, less able to resist peer pressure, which is relevant in deciding the level of sentence to impose for a crime one commits at, say, 15. But we believe its crucial and we think you agree. HD. 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. Whats going on inside these households, schools, and streets? Ben Lear. 1 They Call us Monsters, for me, was more than just another Netflix documentary. Im guessing people probably think were still in the same mindset, and doing the same stuff. Director.. Monsters is a 2010 British science fiction horror film written and directed by Gareth Edwards in his feature film directorial debut. They Call Us Monsters. 7 talking about this. He receives a letter from Jarad. I do not think so. Prior to his imprisonment, Antonio was an honor roll student and he seemed like the perfect student up until his arrest. You can look at that and say, OK, theyre obviously sociopaths. But what I would encourage people to do is peel a layer off, go a little bit deeper and entertain the idea that maybe theyre temporarily sociopaths, Lear said. 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. I have worked in the juvenile system for 20 years. "There's homies and there's enemies,"he says they told him. To pass the time, they sign up for a screenwriting class and collaborate on a short film about their lives, including . Let me clarify, I dont think juveniles should just be let free or given a slap on the wrist. Also, people who have done enough time in prison age out of violent crime in their thirties and forties. Juvenile court judges had made that decision. Do they deserve a second chance? TikTok video from Editorial Applehead (@appleheadteam): "Antonio Hernndez, director de "Capitn Trueno y El Santo Grial", recibe el Premio Applehead Sah-Di-A 2023 y nos enva un saludo.". Their convictions range from charges of attempted murder to first degree murder, and slowly each boy's character and the story of how he ended up in the compound is revealed. 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. Juan, Jarad and Antonio, all young teens, face decades in prison. They Call Us Monsters goes behind the walls of the Compound, a high-security facility where Los Angeles houses its most violent juvenile criminals, to follow three young offenders who sign up to take a screenwriting class with producer Gabe Cowan as they await their respective trials. Jarad and Juan are currently serving the remainder of their sentence at Ironwood state prison. It hit home because I grew up with a lot of The film follows three juveniles: Juan Gamez, Antonio Hernandez and Jarad Nava. These are young men who will be tried as adults for violent crimes and face decades, if not hundreds of years in adult jails. original sound - . All three are looking at terms that could keep them behind bars for decades. The law went into effect January 1, 2014. One of the victims of Jarads shooting is only 17 and permanently confined to a wheelchair. , a new documentary that follows their lives in a Los Angeles juvenile detention center. Juvenile Justice Information Exchange 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. When you see these young, smart kids without resources, being taken advantage of in this way and locked up for life with no help, I call bullshit on that right away. He asks them to write down five things they fear. While the gravity of their crimes is great, these young men are still simply teenagers. . All rights reserved. They have to pay for what they did, Lear said. Also, the story of my family, [e]specially my moms.. This means these kids could get a second chance. Is there anything else youd want to tell the movies audience about yourself that they may not know? Another, Juan, who joined a gang before his 13th birthday, faces 90. To the system, theyre adults. The film was written in an InsideOUT Writers class taught by Gabriel Cowan which is featured in the documentary THEY CALL US MONSTERS directed by Ben Lear. Watching this documentary would lead one to realize that the society plays an important role in the prevention of juvenile delinquency. The film follows three juveniles: Juan Gamez, Antonio Hernandez and Jarad Nava. Anyone can read what you share. This is true for Juan as well, who has a 90-year sentence. Their parents grew up in identical conditions before them and know nothing of survival in an "acceptable" way because they have NEVER been given instruction. Later, he calls Abby and uses Los as a script to narrate the depth of his feelings. ", Jarad: I dont like snakes, theres a fear of heights, Im not scared of heights, but theres a fear. 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. 38 deaths from fire arms not ruled homicide. Language. As the Fair Sentencing For Youth organization puts it, the law holds young people responsible for the crimes they committed, but it recognizes that youth are different from adults and gives them a chance to demonstrate remorse and rehabilitation. TALKING" while everyone blathers on regardless. Our independent journalism on the juvenile justice system takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. Antonio, Jarad and Juan are the subjects of the documentary "They Call Us Monsters," BMP Films The issue of juveniles tried as adults in our criminal justice system is a difficult one, and the . As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. L-R: Gabe Cowan (teacher/producer), Jarad, Antonio, Juan all look at footage from their film. 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. They found him along the 4000 block of Green Tree Drive Wednesday and took him into custody. 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. We thought that was funny. Back in 2013, California was debating whether to give teenagers who committed violent crimes a second chance. Still a teacher for InsideOUT, he has abandoned the Hollywood bromance in favor of Good Films, his new feature-film company whose mission is to tell stories with racial and social-justice themes. You have to love it out of them, Cowan says. Juan, Jarad and Antonio, all young teens, face decades in prison. Read more, FUNDER TRANSPARENCY POLICY This work has led him to performances at TED and the UN. As part of the Kennesaw State University community we are committed to creating a culture of inclusion through our journalism and operations. [1] The teenagers participate in a screenwriting class at Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Los Angeles, California with producer Gabriel Cowan. - Juvenile Justice News for People Who Care About Children and the Law, Juan Gamez, Antonio Hernandez and Jarad Nava are the youthful offenders at the heart of . We are committed to transparency in every aspect of funding our organization. Not just in the throes of puberty and adolescence but of self-discovery and coming of age.. (https://jjie.org/2017/02/08/meet-the-monsters-documentary-looks-at-california-juvenile-debate/). I so support these boys and hope they dont have to spend there years stuck for a stupid mistake they now regret It establishes a parole process with different criteria.. sonido original - Antonio Hernnde4490. She weeps as she talks about the harrowing moment in which she thought she was going to die. These are perfect examples of the way the justice system has decided to treat young men who commit violent crimes as adults. Are we entirely the result of our environment? They Call Us Monsters. Grappling with tough questions about what it means to convict a young teenager to a lifetime in prison without diminishing or excusing the violent crimes which these kids are accused of, They Call Us Monsters is a loud plea for our need to rethink how we understand the American justice system. Be more independent. Our organization retains full authority over editorial content to protect the best journalistic and business interests of our organization. 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. , when a referendum gave prosecutors the power to try teens as adults for certain serious crimes. whose mission is both to use creative writing as a catalyst for personal transformation and to reduce the juvenile recidivism rate by providing services for formerly incarcerated youth. And, I understand theyre just trying to keep the peace in the communities, which is real good, but I do feel that our youth has so much more potential and should be deal[t] with differently.. Theyre held in a special wing of the lockup reserved for teens who will be standing trial as adults. Read more, DIVERSITY, EQUITY and INCLUSION CC. He approached fellow InsideOUT board member and founder of. Antonio, one of Jarad's inmates, is blindsided by the news that he will be a free man. Granted time should be done, but if prison is for rehabilitation and you give a sixteen-year-old 40 years to life, after 10 years hes truly changed, you still keep him inside. As They Call Us Monsters hopes to broaden the conversation on juvenile offenders, here are five eye-opening facts we learned from watching Lears documentary. They Call Us Monsters 2016 Not Rated 1 h 22 m IMDb RATING 7.0 /10 654 YOUR RATING Rate Play trailer 1:42 1 Video 4 Photos Documentary Legislators debate legislation that allows for adult charges for juvenile offenders. Who you are as a teenager is not who you are when you grow up.. Available on iTunes Legislators debate legislation that allows for adult charges for juvenile offenders. Each one teach one.. The kids needing to find monies for their families. Juan Gamez, Antonio Hernandez, and Jarad Nava. Juan, Jarad and Antonio, all young teens, face decades in prison. Love does not conquer all nor is Lear suggesting this. The dark. He went as research for a script, expecting to meet the kind of scary characters hed seen in the movies but instead, he found a classroom full of kids., When a kid arrives there, a lot of his baggage is temporarily stripped away, Lear said. The film follows three young offenders who sign up to take a screenwriting class with producer Gabe Cowan as they await their respective trials. The Film. After passing SB 260, California also passed SB 261 in 2015, a law that raised the age of SB 260 to 22-years old, affecting an additional 16,000 inmates. This scene makes it into the final documentary, in which Learbraids together footage from the class with clips from the fictional film that the teens wrote. Juan:I find screenwriting and filmmaking very interesting, [e]specially for the power you can have of telling a story and raising awareness about certain topics. Given a slap on the juvenile system for 20 years, a documentary... 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