Wassup Rockers-Unhinged Reviews

Photo taken from the Unhinged Movie Collection

  "Wassup Rockers" is another edgy, yet insightful film from the unique direction of Larry Clark.  This particular movie still contains that raw edge that we were exposed to in "Kids", but this one tells a unique story of it's own. 

 "Wassup Rockers" follows six Latino teens from LA and does a wonderful job of recreating some of the experiences and challenges these kids face just trying to be themselves.  

  Rising above the influence is not an easy thing to do when you living in an area fraught with drugs and gang activity.  So grab your skateboard and let's see what's on 

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the inside of this controversial film.

  Johnathan, Kico, Eddie and the rest of the crew are just a group of normal teens trying to find their place in the world.  Sure, they may wear their hair long and their pants a little too tight, but isn't that what finding yourself is all about.  This group of 6 take the viewers on an insightful ride into the shootings and police harassment that they face on a regular basis. 

For example, when Johnathan and his boys go to Beverly Hills to skate, they encounter everything from "fast" females to fancy house parties where everyone there pretends to be something their not.  The Rockers do their best to stay above the drama, but when just your outward appearance raises flags in Beverly Hills, there's no way to avoid the collision.  

  Edgy stories like this are the reason that we love Indie films over here at Unhinged because they give that raw story without all the glitz and glam.

  Larry Clark did an excellent job of picking the cast, as he groomed these teens for at least a year, before presenting them with the opportunity to make this ground-breaking film. 

 These are real teens living "in the ghetto" , telling their story and Clark did his best to show their struggles and successes to the world.  There are also striking scenes in the movie such as when the teens are harassed by a lawmen just for looking different in a pricey neighborhood. 

   How many times have we been on the short end of the stick just because we didn't look like everyone else?  I'm sure a lot of us know what it's like to be judged before we even have a chance to show how beautiful we are on the inside.  

  There are also a few implications of sexual content in this film, but nothing is shown, so don't worry about graphic scenes.  Larry Clark is known for pushing the envelope and even though "Wassup Rockers"  is one of his earlier pictures, it still captivates the audience. 

 Another standout component in "Wassup Rockers" is the raw environment that these teens have to navigate just when walking down the block or skateboarding to school.  One would have to believe that such poor living conditions such as the ones exhibited in the film impact the psyche in one crazy form or another.  What are your most interesting scenes in the film? 

  Or have you not seen it yet?   

  Unhinged Reviews recommends this film for those that enjoy the rawness of "Kids" and are hungry for more of Clark's direction.  And for those that haven't seen "Kids", "Wassup Rockers" is a great example of how indie films cross boundaries of the modern film, forever compelling and innovative.  

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