I4I: Films by AJ Nakasila

In London alone, 27 teenagers were murdered last year. New statistics reveal that five children are injured in knife or gun attacks every day.

AJ Nakasila is a 17-year-old from the East End of London. He has made six short films - entitled An Eye 4 An Eye - about gangland revenge and how it affects the everyday lives of the friends who make up his close inner circle. Using video, still photograhs and his own music, AJ offers us a unique perspective on "life in the zones".

He asks what role revenge plays in the lives of young people growing up in the inner city and whether there is a way to break this endless cycle.

The films will be shown as Three Minute Wonders on Channel 4 from 3-6 March 2008.

WARNING! These films contain very strong language.

WATCH THE FILMS

AJ
AJ's heartfelt explanation of the truth behind the news headlines. He thinks all the recent gangland murders should act as a wake-up call to young people and to politicians, who need to understand the reality of the life he and his friends face in the zones.

Downloads: mp4 version | wmv version | iPod version

N.B. You will need to right click and save to your computer to download these versions.

Trebla
Trebla has been friends with AJ since they were six years old. He has learnt that revenge can become ingrained in people - they want to hurt others because they themselves are hurting. Now studying to go to university, he is breaking the cycle and moving on.

Downloads: mp4 version | wmv version | iPod version

N.B. You will need to right click and save to your computer to download these versions.

Ben & Big M
Ben & Musa are AJ's boys from back in the day. They don't know where the cycle began but know that there are never happy endings. To them revenge is a normal reaction when people are hurt and calling a truce - squashing the beef - is rare in their world.

Downloads: mp4 version | wmv version | iPod version

N.B. You will need to right click and save to your computer to download these versions.

Troopa
Troopa has been a close friend to AJ for years. He was getting caught up in things he didn't want to. After getting stabbed and losing one of his friends in a car accident, he finally understood that death is real. Now he refuses to hit back at those who hurt him.

Downloads: mp4 version | wmv version | iPod version

N.B. You will need to right click and save to your computer to download these versions.

Pat
Pat helped AJ through some of his hardest times. He got involved with the wrong type of people, and he was shot for just being associated with them. He survived and went through a very difficult and painful time. Now he feels that karma will take care of revenge.

Downloads: mp4 version | wmv version | iPod version

N.B. You will need to right click and save to your computer to download these versions.

Murka
Murka is loyal to his circle. He's still caught up in a gangster lifestyle, but he wishes there had been more chances for him when he was younger. He explains how a small disagreement between two people can start beef - a conflict which could end up with someone dead.

Downloads: mp4 version | wmv version | iPod version

N.B. You will need to right click and save to your computer to download these versions.

I4I was produced for Channel 4 by Katy Sheppard & Brian Woods at True Vision Productions (copyright True Vision 2008). The films were filmed and directed by AJ Nakasila and edited by Sean Lewis.

All music by Jamie Perera & AJ Nakasila.

PICTURES

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