Footsteps Into Gangland

Footsteps into gangland is a well-made movie especially considering it is the director's first fictional project.

Although the acting of the roles of Vicky and Himit isn't as good as it should have been, they really come through in the more emotional scenes. The roles of Robbie and Snowflake however were both very well acted. The writing is great but it loses impact due to amateur acting, none of the roles are bad but some could have been done better.

Overall, a message is driven home by the director, and Footsteps into Gangland is a good watch for anyone looking for a real-life look into the lives of gangsters in Vancouver, B.C.

The film begins with a scene which seems very unrealistic within our community, but to our dismay, it is reality. Who would ever imagine a foster father verbally, physically, and sexually abusing their foster child? Well, truth be told, 80 percent of all child abusers are the father, foster father, stepfather or another relative or close family friend of the victim (University of Victoria Sexual Assault Centre in 2008). Personally, the scene makes one feel distraught and tensed as you sit there and watch a helpless, young girl being raped by her foster father. You cringe while waiting for the scene to end and are not compelled with what you've just seen. It's a strong scene with a strong message to those who bypass reality not only within the Indo-Canadian community but all communities.

Mya, one of the main characters in the film is a strong young woman who hides beneath a shell with fear. She was born into a family where violence and alcohol abuse occurred, and now lives in a foster home where she still experiences abuse. In my opinion, we lack the education to give families the confidence to stand up against abuse and the film raises that awareness.

Robbie & Vicky are the elite gang members in the film. When the characters are first introduced, the first thing that comes to mind is Bindy Johal and Bal Buttar. Their persona of being number one and mentality of being at the top within their gang curves their pathway throughout the film, leaving you still and stunned.

An identity change within the first few scenes of the film leaves Himit struck. When his character is first introduced you perceive him as innocent and shy and minutes later a shift in personality, and a gain in confidence. His influence, Vicky, tags Himit along his "deliveries" and becomes a model like figure for Himit. He teaches Himit about image, and how the perception of authority instills fear within people's minds. It is only time when Himit will enter the circle of gang lifestyle and experience the untold.

Footsteps Into Gangland is an eye-opener. It gives viewers a glimpse into the day in a life of South-Asian gang members in metro Vancouver. And what we discover isn't pretty. It's reminiscent of Larry Clark's film KIDS, or Aronofsky's Requiem for a Dream. Like them, there's no holding back for Director, Mani Amar; he takes a very controversial approach to film-making as he graphically exposes one awful truth after another. Yet it does become a very artistic film, shot mostly in black and white with a clever use of colour for effect in certain scenes. The story is well-written and full of twists. While the leading and supporting cast do an excellent job of portraying their characters believably. Overall, 'Footsteps' is an entertaining film well-worth seeing; it exposes a major problem that needs to be addressed in order to be solved. And it's sure to leave a lasting impression on the parents and youth of today. 9/10 *********

Awkward acting, amateur direction. snowflake was a strong character. unsure why the director included himself in the film. It added nothing creatively to the film. Perhaps an attempt to be artistic. robby and himit were mediocre. the female leads character was strong. awkward filming though a good message.