March 9, 1998 -- Upbeat and positive, "Colors Straight Up" is a 93-minute film nominated for an Oscar as Best Documentary Feature. Most documentaries are about victims or someone who has done something very bad. "Colors" will make you feel good. Believe it or not, there are some potential solutions for all those problem kids out there.

Following six young students from south central Los Angeles, co-producers Michele Ohayon and Julia Schacter let the camera tell the story. There is no narrator telling us what to think or feel. Using the techniques of both cinema verite (the camera stimulates you to state your feelings) and direct cinema (the camera is simply an observer of what you are doing), director Ohayon creates a seamless combination of personal stories into one. Colors United, an after school performing arts group, works with a cast of inner city Latino and Black teenagers from the Watts area. They are creating, rehearsing, and eventually performing portions of a new stage play, "Watts Side Story," a musical version of "Romeo and Juliet."

Smooth, artful, and efficiently organized, we move from one segment to the next. We observe a few moments of rehearsals. Then we see and hear interview statements from one of the student/performers about their personal lives, intercutting to their neighborhood and family and home. We watch as a Colors United staff director consoles the student. We learn, one by one, how close each student is to taking the wrong road in life. Many believe they might not have lived to graduate from high school. The film's cycle begins again. There is angry shouting, disagreements, laughter, hugs, lots of hugs, and anxiety and insecurity as they learn about this art of stage performing.

The moments of honest feelings being expressed and captured by the camera are intimate and insightful. LaToya confronts Phil, the Colors United Director, as he attempts to cool her off. "They bite me, I'm going to bite back" is her attitude. He listens and suggests. She sees that he cares, even if he is stern. The camera sees it all, including their final hug. An another young women cries out about her alcohol mother, "instead of a friend, I've got an enemy." A fearful Latino mother, referring to Watts, "there is more wealth here (than Mexico), but you lose your kids."

Yet the joy and camaraderie between the teenagers grows. They have a picnic, dance together, and hug some more. But always, there are the intercutting scenes of dark streets, gangs, jails, and handcuffs. As we become familiar with the students, the film builds to the day of performance. This scene is intercut with a celebration/awards dinner and students enrolling in college. Clearly, they are moved and quite grateful for having had this opportunity. The viewer can't help but feel pride and hopeful for these lucky young people. They are just a few of the 400 students that Colors United has helped since their creation in 1989. All 400 graduated from high school. On graduation day, one claims with tear swollen eyes, "I'm so happy being here." New students for next year's performance are recruited. A new play and the first meeting begin on the rehearsal stage.

Click here for links to places to buy this movie in video and/or DVD format, the soundtrack, books, even used videos, games and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

Mike McElreath can be reached via e-mail as MikeM@uwyo.edu