One Lyfe to Life

One Lyfe To Live is a inventive urban crime film shot on a low budget set in New York.

Lyfe (Nicholas Sanchez) is a young criminal working with a small crew lead by the psychopathic Generation (Kevin Bescombe who also co directed)

Lyfe isnt the worlds most sympathetic protagonist- hes violent manipulativbve impulsive and deeply self centred. Its almost like hes desensetized to everything unfolding round him- the only end to the road he's on is prison or death and he remains indifferent to both. Even an impending pregnancy with his ex girlfriend and the prospect of fatherhood barely moves him.

When a job goes horribly wrong it makes Lyfe a target of rival gangs , the police, members his own crew as it hurtles a him into a desperate course of redemption but it may already be too late.

The film visually takes a lot of risks and moves very fast- the cameras move alot- there's sweeping wide shots of the New York skyline and at one point Lyfe breaking the fourth wall and speaks directly to the audience. The energy reminded me of a young Spike Lee.

Directors Kevin Bencosme and Deborah Cardona choose to defy the ugly stereotypes of this genre.

We come across well meaning characters trying to do their best the most noted is Jimmy (Shawn Better) a former promising university academic turned drug addict who is inevitably swallowed whole by the streets.

This film delves deep into the challenges faced by a young man navigating the harsh realities of life in New York. With powerful storytelling and raw emotions, it is a compelling watch. As a white man, it is very eye opening. It shows the complexities of a world that has been oversimplified by mainstream narratives. I also loved the gritty cinematography that effectively captured the essence of urban life. The characters are also real and allowed me to connect with the struggles and aspirations of Lyfe. He is real and relatable, even to someone unfamiliar with his world. This film not only serves as an entertaining story of survival but also is very thought-provoking. I highly suggest it.

First off, this movie is oozing with style, lots of well thought out slow motion and intentionally minimal sound design set it apart. The music is on another level, I loved all of it and even threw a few songs into my playlist. I'd be super interested in seeing what these guys could do with more expert cinematography.

The plot revolves around a 20-something black man living in NYC. The plot is a little thin, but in a way it's kind of perfect for this experience. His story sort of wanders forward, weaving in and out of others lives, no part of it more important than any other, yet all of it together is like a full picture made of smaller puzzle pieces. I found myself super engaged with Lyfe (and especially with his budding relationship with Ayana) and his struggles, even as he made poor choices and learned his lessons. Lots of wisdom scattered throughout and I appreciate that the filmmakers took the subject matter seriously. Bittersweet ending really hit hard.

This is a hard-hitting drama about a character who wants to leave his rough life in a tough neighborhood "the hood" but his environment keeps pulling him back in. The direction is strong, especially when the action ramps up, and the editing keeps the story moving along at a steady pace towards the bittersweet conclusion. Most of the acting is solid, although I wish there was more time spent on the relationship between the lead and a supporting character with drug problems since that becomes more important as the narrative progresses. There is a narration that comes in every now and then that seems a bit jarring when it breaks the fourth wall, but most of the character relationships are developed nicely through the characters' interactions. The audio is also a bit jarring at times, as it cuts off and sounds muffled in places. But the story is strong and I appreciated that it shows that there is also love and support in "the hood" as much as there is violence and tough times.

'One Lyfe to Life' is an atmospheric film that builds its tension slowly. The visuals are intended to create a gritty, raw feel. Despite the simplicity of the visuals and lighting, they still immerse a viewer and allow one to be fully absorbed into the story of Lyfe, who is living in a tumultuous struggle in New York. The slow motion during some of the confrontation sequences is warranted and the use of deep depth of field allows the viewer to take in the full landscape/atmosphere. Wonderful score and overall, the flow of the scenes works well. The film could have been further immersive with cleaner sound in some places and enhanced performances, but still a great story of perseverance with a theological undertone.