- Directed and Produced by: Leslie Neale
Released: 2004
Running Time: 66 min
Language: English, Subtitled in English and Spanish
Subjects: Criminal Justice, Religious Studies, Psychology
Twenty years ago, juveniles committed 30% of all felony arrests. Today, juveniles commit only 15% of all felonies. 60% of the public believe that youth commit most of the crime nowadays. Narrator Mark Wahlberg states, over 200,000 kids are sent through the court adult system each year. Chance Films followed 12 juveniles who were all prosecuted as adults. The filmmakers taught a video production class to kids in Eastlake Central Juvenile Hall, Los Angeles to encourage them to open up about their lives and the choices they made that brought them to juvenile hall.
Reviews / Quotes:
"...a look at the harrowing world of Juvies...a worthy project, a powerful documentary." -Charles Gibson, Good Morning America, ABC
"Juvies shows the results of trying youth as adults from the other side - the young people themselves. In Leslie Neale's hands, this story is valid, compelling and heart-breaking." -Luis Rodriguez, author of
"Always Running: La Vida Loca, Gang Days in LA. "without being heavy handed or preachy, incisive and important." -Kevin Thomas Los Angeles Times
"This touching documentary demonstrates that a more mature, compassionate approach to prison reform is not just the right thing to do. it's the smart thing to do." -Nathan McCall, Author Makes Me Wanna Holler, National Best Seller
Awards:
- Cine Golden Eagle Award For Excellence, 2004
- Special Jury Award For Documentary Feature At San Luis Obispo International Film Festival, 2004
- Slate Award For Best Documentary At California Independent Film Festival, 2004
- Special Jury Award For Feature Length Documentary At Urbanworld Film Festival, 2004
- Jury Award For Best Documentary At Beverly Hills Film Festival 2004
- U.S. International Film And Video Festival Certificate For Creative Excellence, 2004
- Nomination For International Documentary Association Award For Distinguished Feature, 2004