Drugs, prison, death.
Three dots tattooed on the skin.
Three mandatory alternatives for the pandilleros, the young members of Latin American street gangs.

Documentary, 25′ – 2007

Written, directed and photographed by Stefania Andreotti
Written, edited and produced by Giuseppe Petruzzellis
Production Aplysia
Soundtrack Demon Doctor, Harold Bermudez Burgos, [dk], 4c3, Amnis, Vate, Solcarlus
Still images by: Alexander Peña, Oscar Leiva, Jose Cabezas, David A. Pedroni
World premiere at Ji.hlava (2008).

Two ruthless gangs: Mara Salvatrucha 13 and Barrio 18. Criminal organisations expanding rapidly at a transnational level, with outposts across the world. Similar yet opposing gangs, bound by an irreconcilable rivalry that bloodies the urban peripheries from El Salvador to Los Angeles.

The pandilleros are recruited very young and thrown into the fray of bloody battles for territorial control. They deal, use drugs, steal, kill — and many are not even twenty years old. Abandoned by everyone, hunted by the police, theirs is a Vida Loca, wild and unruly, suspended between illegality and death.

This is a journey into and out of their world, to look these “notorious” teenagers in the face.

Awards
Best Documentary – III Edizione DocUnder30 – 2009
Premio Libero Bizzarri – 2008
Best Doc – Sedicicorto – 2008

Distribution / Festivals

2012 – Estate Doc IV Edizione, promossa da D.E.R. – Documentaristi Emilia Romagna
2011 – Homeboys
2011 – Hors Pistes / Centre Pompidou
2010 – Progetto Videoreporter
2010 – Inclusioni Diffuse
2010 – Visual Park
2009 – DocUnder30
2008 – Cortoinmente
2008 – Molisecinema
2008 – Premio Libero Bizzarri
2008 – Sedicicorto
2008 – Ji.hlava