Latin Kings: A Street Gang Story

Reviewed by:
Paul Ulane

Gangbangers aren’t the most sympathetic characters, and Latin Kings does nothing to challenge the convention. For that matter, seeing the dreams of those who aspire to uplift their inner-city Latino communities crushed on camera isn’t exactly heart-warming, either. But that doesn’t mean we don’t want to watch. Documentary filmmaker Jon Alpert followed the Latin King Nation of New York State around for over a year (in the mid-’90s) to see whether their intentions were sincere or simply a cover-up for their criminal dealings. At the head of this massive organization is King Tone, who’s dabbled in underworld activity in the past but wants to help his beseiged community move forward. Alpert delves deep into his world until Tone’s sent off to prison and the Kings begin to crumble. It’s an intensive look into a way of life most aren’t familiar with—smoking weed and throwing parties on house arrest, leading a gang by phone from jail, and keeping families together through it all. If only HBO could tack on a happy ending.

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