An excellent, real, factual and emotionally charged look into what one caring person can help to facilitate a transformation, even if it's just one person, I believe it's more than most people have done for someone in their lifetime. It's a conscience that led to a real life change for those who needed it most. A blueprint for how we can start to make a real and lasting lifelong impact on those who are the most vulnerable and never had a chance. So inspiring to see some actual good in this world that ripples through to the core of the problem, the facts and what is needed in this corrupt system of doomed failure to thrive. I am going to try and see if I can give back something too. Thank you. I will let you know if it works out!! "Be the change you want to see"?!
8 Reviews
I'm glad it was filmed for 7 years
marcelajonkisz17 April 2024
After the first half an hour of watching, I was getting annoyed with this documentary and I thought if that was the way everything was going to be portrayed until the end, then it would just be a mostly false presentation of the situation. Why? Because I've dealt with people addicted to drugs and I could see how incredibly naive Michael was thinking that if he could organize rehabs for everyone, then they would just happily stay there, be grateful for having a roof over their heads, get a job afterwards and basically stop being homeless thanks to that. The moment when he started renting hotel rooms for more and more young homeless people (not all of them could be call kids in my opinion) while constantly blaming everybody around for the fact that these people were living that way, then I thought about not watching this any longer.
The thing is that there is a difference when the problem is the lack of finances to have a place to stay but if somebody's been taking drugs for many years and had to learn how to "hustle" to survive on the street, then even if he found a job for each of them and a house for all of them to stay in, they would end up in the same spot pretty quickly without THEIR decision that they'd had enough and wanted to accept the help and start with first getting clean. So the moment he sent Bublez to rehab, I was wondering if they were going to show how quickly she would leave with some excuse and be back taking drugs on the street.
But thankfully, this documentary shows what was happening with the kinds for the following 7 years and that's when it shows the true story of being a young, homeless and addicted person. I know that Michael meant well but it's a human nature that he would be manipulated by some of them, he would be lied to by others to get something from him - both calculated gain but also more attention than others. And he wasn't putting any boundaries at the beginning, believing everything he was told and wishfully thinking that he resolved some problems within the first few months of being with these people.
That's why I am so glad that he continued the help and the documentary for years after that, showing how much time and effort it takes from both sides to help one addicted, homeless person. And I applaud him for being with some of these people for so many years and not giving up, so not disappointing them like nearly everybody in their life. It was a pleasure to see the change in those who trusted him and decided to fight for themselves. Most of the people in their situation is not going to be successful even with all the possible help available - because only a small percent of people can recover from addiction and even then they can relapse and lose everything.
He did a great job in the end and I think it's worth to see it.
The thing is that there is a difference when the problem is the lack of finances to have a place to stay but if somebody's been taking drugs for many years and had to learn how to "hustle" to survive on the street, then even if he found a job for each of them and a house for all of them to stay in, they would end up in the same spot pretty quickly without THEIR decision that they'd had enough and wanted to accept the help and start with first getting clean. So the moment he sent Bublez to rehab, I was wondering if they were going to show how quickly she would leave with some excuse and be back taking drugs on the street.
But thankfully, this documentary shows what was happening with the kinds for the following 7 years and that's when it shows the true story of being a young, homeless and addicted person. I know that Michael meant well but it's a human nature that he would be manipulated by some of them, he would be lied to by others to get something from him - both calculated gain but also more attention than others. And he wasn't putting any boundaries at the beginning, believing everything he was told and wishfully thinking that he resolved some problems within the first few months of being with these people.
That's why I am so glad that he continued the help and the documentary for years after that, showing how much time and effort it takes from both sides to help one addicted, homeless person. And I applaud him for being with some of these people for so many years and not giving up, so not disappointing them like nearly everybody in their life. It was a pleasure to see the change in those who trusted him and decided to fight for themselves. Most of the people in their situation is not going to be successful even with all the possible help available - because only a small percent of people can recover from addiction and even then they can relapse and lose everything.
He did a great job in the end and I think it's worth to see it.
Rings true
meagannagorski15 March 2021
I have been a volunteer with an organization that helps homeless and at-risk youth for 4.5 years, and this film speaks their truth. These kids have faced adversity most of us never will, and they form families and do whatever they can to survive on the streets. The movie presents an honest view of what life is really like for these kids, and shows some success stories--what these kids can accomplish with some help and someone truly believing in them and cheering them on. It also shows how bleak and harsh street life is, and how hopeless and unhelpful municipal programs are in terms of making real changes--without persistence.
A learning experience that humanity deserves.
jkocarek4 June 2021
The US would benefit from every American seeing this film. American Street Kid does a great job of shining a light on the terrible issues surrounding youth homelessness which should be talked about more. With so many misconceptions and false assumptions being present in our society, this film is so important. The audience is shown real compassion, frustration, and fluctuating hope allowing a better understanding of the harsh realities of these youth. The film is extremely powerful and has the potential to be a strong catalyst for change.
A painful and powerful must see
sometimezido2 January 2023
A man sets out to create a 2 minute PSA on homeless youth in the LA area, and ends up on a multi-year journey (while also working as a playwright and theater director) that becomes the feature length film we see. Along the journey he (filmmaker Michael Leoni) becomes very much involved in the lives of these youth, and as a consequence, very much a part of the film. This involvement gives insight to viewers that even so-called experts on the subject cannot have without spending time with the young subjects. He sees their struggles firsthand, sees the breakdowns at various levels when some try to improve their lives, and becomes a resource that many of them desperately need. His involvement adds immense value to the film, as he not only sees, but actually experiences, the failures in the system along with the subjects.
This is not a film for the faint of heart, as it is honest, and largely unfiltered. The young people who are the subjects of the film grow very comfortable with Michael over several years, and allow him to see and film things rarely caught on camera. However, this is not a film that in any way glorifies the behavior of it's subjects. It is one that attempts to show the struggles of these young people in a true light, the challenges they face, and ultimately discovers what may be the only way to solve this problem by finding out what these youth actually need.
I am hesitant to say this is the best documentary I have ever seen, because I watched it very recently so it is quite fresh in my mind, but it very well may be. Anyone who cares at all for their fellow people should see it, and may very well be inspired to get involved as a result.
This is not a film for the faint of heart, as it is honest, and largely unfiltered. The young people who are the subjects of the film grow very comfortable with Michael over several years, and allow him to see and film things rarely caught on camera. However, this is not a film that in any way glorifies the behavior of it's subjects. It is one that attempts to show the struggles of these young people in a true light, the challenges they face, and ultimately discovers what may be the only way to solve this problem by finding out what these youth actually need.
I am hesitant to say this is the best documentary I have ever seen, because I watched it very recently so it is quite fresh in my mind, but it very well may be. Anyone who cares at all for their fellow people should see it, and may very well be inspired to get involved as a result.
I knew these kids when I was a kid
findinganameishard2 April 2023
I grew up across the street from a group home. Those kids were a HOT MESS. Most are dead now, drugs. Prison, jail, drugs, producing their own messed up kids. It's very accurate. These are kids, you can't expect them to act like adults. Also they'll never have good lives, it's too late, their mentality is so gone. Sadly most will die early, prison, drugs and kids who are also molested by others. It's just sad that I knew these kids in the 80s and they're exactly the same as they were then, same services, same lack of help, same broken foster care system. Most of us don't want the problems that come with foster care kids. You get attached to them and they just take them away. It's why I would never do it. My aunt used to take kids in and you spend holidays with them then they leave and you never see them again.
a heartfelt adventure
CarlyVeal115 June 2021
American Street Kid is one of the best documentaries I have ever seen. It is such a raw piece of art filled with so much emotion. This film goes above and beyond to break the stigmas and the silence around homeless youth. Not only did I cry multiple times throughout this film in happiness and sadness, I felt every wave of emotion: anger, joy, sympathy, empathy, courage, and inspiration. Michael Leoni does an impeccable job immersing himself into this lifestyle to make it as authentic as possible. It is a must watch. You will see the world in a different light.
A great message lost by 90 mins of Michael Leoni patting himself on the back
ppkjwsjz26 November 2023
This film started out as a fantastic story, highlighting a problem most don't know about in the US.
But the last 90 minutes of the documentary felt like Michael Leoni continually putting himself up on a pedestal and talking about how much he cares, and how he wish he could do more. Completely took away from the core message of the film and I left it disappointed that we lost the narrative.
The end goal here is what? To feel sorry for Michael because he cares so much, but can't do all he'd like to do to help? Really felt a bit cringy watching Michael continue to focus on himself - he shouldn't have been the main character in this story. But the last half of this film was only about him.
But the last 90 minutes of the documentary felt like Michael Leoni continually putting himself up on a pedestal and talking about how much he cares, and how he wish he could do more. Completely took away from the core message of the film and I left it disappointed that we lost the narrative.
The end goal here is what? To feel sorry for Michael because he cares so much, but can't do all he'd like to do to help? Really felt a bit cringy watching Michael continue to focus on himself - he shouldn't have been the main character in this story. But the last half of this film was only about him.
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