"Robbed of the Good Years": Evolution of a Criminal at GMU 13 November 2014

by Meghann Patterson, The Fourth Estate

"Robbed of the Good Years": Evolution of a Criminal at GMU 13 November 2014

Many students will never have the chance to understand the mindset of a juvenile who has committed a crime.

According to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the rate for robbery declined through much of the 1980s, reaching a low point in 1987. However, like the violent crime arrest rate in general, by the mid-1990s the juvenile robbery arrest rate grew to a greater point.

“This documentary tells a fascinating story that on some level is a little too familiar, someone did something wrong and had to sort their life out, yet it is told in such an original way. That’s the most important part when I’m thinking about being in filmmakers is finding films that tell compelling stories but also films that push boundaries in terms of the types of visual strategies,” Cynthia Fuchs, director of Film and Media Studies, said. “This film uses some fairly conventional stuff but also uses beautifully filmed reenactment and other storytelling devices.”

“Evolution of a Criminal” is an autobiographical documentary about director Darius Clark Monroe’s 16-year-old self. The film describes his family’s financial struggles and home environment that pushed him into making the choice of robbing a local bank and how the robbery created a ripple effect impacting him, his family, friends, and the victims in the bank.

This documentary was shown as part of GMU's Visiting Filmmakers Series, presented by Film & Media Studies, Film & Video Studies, African and African American Studies, Communication, Criminology, Law and Society, English, History and Art History, Honors College, Psychology, University Life, and Women & Gender Studies.

This film challenges people to ask questions about society and about how far people are willing to go for their families. Monroe was an average, smart kid with a bright future and everything going for him. Seeing his parents struggle living paycheck to paycheck made him feel like he needed to help out. Rarely does the audience get the opportunity to not only hear, but also see the director in front of the camera reflecting on his actions.

 

“Initially my family thought I was insane to pull this back up after the work of getting passed the trauma of the crime. Once I explained what the intent was and that I really wanted to talk to the victims and explore how as a child I even got involved with this then they were cool,” Monroe said. “I told them that I was going to be in the film and be opened and honest. Most of the victims refused to do an actual sit down interview, which I understood. However, I was fortunate enough to get one of the customers who happened to be a pastor and his experience was a great voice that represented all the victims. I was thankful that he agreed.”

Students had strong reactions to the film. Many shared personal stories about the challenges of becoming men, poverty and friends who have been incarcerated. They also touched on the obstacles criminals face in terms of finding jobs and trying to survive on the outside.

Read more of "Robbed of the Good Years."