Based on the true life experiences of poet Jimmy Santiago Baca, the film focuses on half-brothers Paco and Cruz, and their bi-racial cousin Miklo. It opens in 1972, as the three are members of an East L.A. gang known as the "Vatos Locos", and the story focuses on how a violent crime and the influence of narcotics alter their lives. Miklo is incarcerated and sent to San Quentin, where he makes a "home" for himself. Cruz becomes an exceptional artist, but a heroin addiction overcomes him with tragic results. Paco becomes a cop and an enemy to his "carnal", Miklo.
Genres: Action , Crime , Drama , Thriller
Keywords: artist , cholo , drugs , east-los-angeles , gang , ghetto , hood , jail , juvenile-prison , lowrider , mexican-american , police-shootout , racism , street-gang , youth-gang , movies-online , tragedy