Charlie, 16, is the leader of the district in San Salvador. Charlie and both of his roommates, like many of the members joined the gang in their early teens, and their mothers are working in the United States as cleaners. Charlie decides if people aren't following gang rules, and they are punished with a beating. Despite these somewhat frequent punishments, they consider their gang to be like family. All members have 18 tattooed on themselves in some way, and most have or want more tattoos.
The Salvadorian government is trying to eliminate gangs, and they can be arrested for having an 18 tattoo. Although they're alert for the police, they know the area better than the police and don't really take them seriously. Because of thee tattoos they can't have a real job, and make most of their money selling marijuana. Charlie is the main seller for the gang, making around $60 a week. Diego, one of Charlie's roommates has set up an extortion system with the local buses. They give him a percent of their profits, because they don't want to be targeted by Eighteenth Street.
There are several deaths a week in their district. Usually these deaths are a result of their rival gang, MS. Most people don't expect to make it past thirty. Travieso is sent on a mission to kill members of MS to avenge the deaths from Eighteen. He is then on the run from the police, but when someone else is arrested for their murder, he goes home.
This was one of those movies where it didn't need any dramatic voice overs or special effects, the topic spoke for itself. The music in this film did created a mood, and there was one interview with Travieso after he came back from his mission that really stuck out. He's in from of a red-orange wall, the camera isn't facing strait on him, it's a little off to the side, plus the hard light and the fact that he's taking about how he just killed someone creates an eery effect.
I think this documentary gave a face to these gang members, making them more than just criminals. The film ends with them celebrating the new year and talking about how they don't want this life forever. Some want to start a family, others want to join their family in the United States and make something of themselves. I even started to feel a little sad for them, because there really isn't a road that leads to them starting over in the United States, leading a productive life, or having their family be healthy and safe. It's powerful for a filmmaker to be able to make the viewer empathize with people who've murdered before.
18th Street Gang, 55:31 4 out of 5 stars.
