Prison Race: 511 is a documentary unlike no other, the content is as real and raw as possible that is told directly by those who lived it. It's a film that makes you question if the prison system is actually doing a sense of justice or simply creating and resulting inmates to develop hate and failure within the system. I highly recommend this documentary to anyone who wants to learn of the reality and reasons why young black men specifically are killing one another and growing up looking for a sense of belonging within there communities and in search of the American Dream.
24 Reviews
Great Documentary
mvallelycollege15 March 2017
This documentary was very eye-opening, especially since the issues talked about are very current with the prison system. It gives the back stories of men who were lifers in prison and what they would change if they were better educated as children or grew up somewhere else. The stories of the men featured in this documentary are inspiring and educational. It's raw and a must-see!
Love this Documentary!!!
milesfomin15 March 2017
I love this documentary! This is one of those documentaries that can change your perspective on the prison system/why people are the way they are. You can tell that this project took a lot of time putting together! I highly recommend watching this documentary if you want your eyes opened and your whole perspective of prison life/criminals to change!
1 story
cordeliacheung15 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
This documentary gives us a glimpse into the lives of prison inmates and how they got there. They talk about how their dreams for the future were crushed as children and how they believe that education is the key for preventing more children from becoming like them. It gives us an unforgettable experience of seeing these gangsters as people beyond their exterior as criminals.
An honest look at the effects of gang life
enerarv16 March 2017
Prison Race 511 is a series of interviews with 5 reformed gang members, 1 drug kingpin, and 1 ex-prison security guard. Through the interview process, we learn about the life of the cast, and how living in a culture that promotes violence and criminality ensured that they would end up in prison. What the movie lacks in cinematography, it more than makes up with in subject matter and interesting testimonials.
One of the Most Powerful Documentaries of 2017
deniecesantos15 March 2017
Prison Race: 511 is raw and educational. It documents the true side of the criminal justice system, and it allows audiences to hear it straight from the men who have been through it all. If you enjoyed Ava DuVernay's documentary, 13th, Prison Race: 511 is another great documentary to watch. Its content is very much in tune with current issues in America today, and its message is extremely powerful.
Prison Race: A tale of gangsters and their former lives
casa-4565315 March 2017
Prison Race is a documentary that tells the story of former gang members and their life in being in jail. As well as show the impact criminal law has on minorities. Also, it makes the viewer see a different picture of how gangs are form and how their life really started out as. It gives a glimpse of how prison really is and that there is still hope for change. A story that does not just give only one single view point, but five different views. It really changes one's view on the law and also those who committed a crime as a gangster.
Great Documentary!
ramsey-7115315 March 2017
A raw educational documentary that depicts the lives of five gang members, a warden, and a king pin. I was fortunate enough to grow up and live in a community that never really had gangs, violence, drugs, etc. but these individuals that were interviewed in this film weren't as fortunate as I was and they grew up in poisonous communities that led them to go to prison. These individuals explain all the negative moments in their lives and they also explain the positive transformation they would like to make for the near future. I would encourage everybody to watch this inspirational film!
Great documentary about 5 gangsters and their transformations
kaysharp9114 March 2017
This is an excellent depiction and story of 5 gangsters. About how their lives as criminals were lead and how they overcame their past choices and the outcomes from those choices. It gives an insight into the black community and how gang members end up in prison. It shows how their environment shaped their lives and how they developed from all that they've been through.
Raw documentary that dives into those who have been raised on the streets, and grew up in prison
mrkcedeno16 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Prison Race:511 is a film that takes you on an experience that other films don't really go into. Rather than going into the prison system itself, we get to hear from individuals who were in it. These former inmates take us to on a narrative that describes how their environment molded them, and how the prison system experience changed them. This film is one to watch!
The Otherside Exposed
esmeraldapel15 March 2017
This film is unlike any other film. We see criminals and ex-convicts explain, through their struggles, their stories on how they became entangled with criminal activity. It is through their entanglements with the crimes and the criminal justice system that they discover how our current society is set up to nurture such criminal behavior. It is through education that this cycle of disenfranchisement of resources, education, and rights can be stopped. This film is powerful and must be watched.
Troubled environment, gang life, prison time, transformation.
jsnover-1833516 March 2017
Prison Race:511 is a documentary that explores the minds of former prison inmates to better understand their background as a youth, a gang member, and life out of prison. The director creates this interview process for the documentary, he basically lets the former inmates take the reins and create this film. The stories that are heard are told from African American viewpoints of gang life in America, and prison life. It sheds light on the unfortunate system and bias, African Americans face in society. Great documentary to show to young students, parents, and troubled youths.
Great Documentary
coduto15 March 2017
This documentary does a great job at giving viewers a look into the lives of those who went down a wrong path in life. Not only does this film explain how prison life changed the interviewee's life after, it also explains how each of their life choices and environment lead them to prison. As an educational documentary it works to inform its viewer's about life in prison, as well as how different people get put into the prison system.
A MUST WATCH Documentary
ryten15 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
This documentary dives into the negative influences and circumstances that forced these men, that had honest aspiration, into the L.A. gang life. Prison Race: 511 is a great documentary that reveals the TRUE stories of former gangsters and how they have rehabilitated their lives.
Prison Race 511
aznxddrfrk15 March 2017
This documentary showed a side most people don't think about. Usually we have our views on people but once we see the story from their side our opinions then change. My thoughts on gangs changed after viewing this movie. It taught me many things and grasp the situation on their lives.
Prison Race:511
vettie-0976116 March 2017
Prison Race is an educational and informative piece that sheds the light on the participants community. It also exposes the truth about the unfair prison system and its repercussions. The film is inspirational because the participants speak about growing up and what led them to act and make bad decisions.
They are are people, humans just like you and me.
lugoajulian14 March 2017
It is an eye-opening film. After watching this film, I had a better understanding of what challenges these people go through. These are people, just like me, who aspired to be respectable members in society. Unfortunately, their environments made it extremely difficult for them to rise above the drugs and the violence. Just imagine what these men could have become had they lived in prosperous communities.
Thought provoking and eye opening
lilbeezy15 March 2017
One of a kind movie that gives the audience an in depth perspective on what it is truly like growing up in a gang and drug filled environment. Never before has there been a documentary that truly captures what it is like to be a black man growing up in 21st century America. Love the overall message of the movie however do not expect much on the movies' cinematography.
Documentary
presidentpolytransferclub14 March 2017
If you have watched 13TH, and THE FARM: LIFE INSIDE ANGOLA PRISON then I highly encourage everyone to watch this documentary. It is not only educational, but it gives you the insight of what these people actually go through and what the society can do help them. A lot of people only talk about problems, but no one takes actions to solve the problem. It's an absolute must-see!
A good Documentary
gioluvi14 March 2017
The movie shows well what the lives on east L.A. are like. There are five gang members, a warden, and a king pin that are all interviewed. They explain very well what their environment was like and how it ended transforming their lives for the worst. The backlash of the film is that the typography was not designed and well made for the viewers to see. But overall still an informative documentary to watch
Educational, great insight of what gangsters go through in their environment
japschou14 March 2017
Personal accounts made by these men in the documentary were insightful. Hearing their stories and what they went through made this film very interesting. The film itself did not feel like it dragged on, as you get drawn into the film and wanting to listen to the stories of each men carefully. Some minor editing fixes, such as introducing the names of the people as they appear on screen would help, rather than having them pop up at random times. In the end, this film is definitely worth a watch!
Importance of Education
jluis-8703815 March 2017
Prison Race: 511 is a great documentary that discusses the truth about prison mates, and how it is in prison. Also discussing the gang life is on the streets. The importance of education, and having the right support system; to not end up in that certain lifestyle. I recommend this documentary to anyone who has interest about learning more about gang activity; and the seriousness of discrimination that takes place in prison.
The inside truth about the prison system
mlbroncos16 March 2017
This documentary engages with 5 gangsters, 1 kingpin, that ultimately shares one 1 strong story about the truth of prison systems in the U.S. Dives deeply with these former inmates on how they became involved in negative activities. It also goes into how minority ethnic groups are the ones suffering from the lack of many conditions. Overall a great documentary that may be very educational to young people.
An in depth view of hardcore criminals upbringing, convictions and psychology before and after prison
ebgama14 March 2017
Prison Race 511, offers an introspective view of 6 former criminals and how they went through a path that eventually got them into prison. They reminisce about personal experiences an and thoughts they had while they were growing up in their destructive neighborhoods. Giving you a chance to understand how criminals are developed and nurtured in poor neighborhoods. The film also focuses on a more positive side of their lives. The film allows the speakers to retell how they underwent a transformation during prison and what they are focused on doing now that they are out of prison.
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