The documentary "Flyin' Cut Sleeves" follows the lives of street gang presidents in the Bronx, showcasing the experiences of Rita Fecher, a co-producer who taught in a South Bronx school in the 1960s and 1970s. The film highlights the struggles of uprooted families, cultural alienation, drugs, and violence, as well as the "families" or street gangs that formed as a coping mechanism. Despite being labeled as violent by the press, these groups provided a sense of stability and community for the teenagers involved. Over a 20-year period, the documentary chronicles the lives of four generations, revealing the ways in which people adapt to the harsh realities of the ghetto and strive to improve their community.
Flyin' Cut Sleeves
This 1993 film centers on the lives of street gang leaders in the Bronx, drawing inspiration from the true stories of a former schoolteacher.
