Los Sures (1984)

Plot

In late-1970s and early-1980s Brooklyn, the South Williamsburg neighborhood known as Los Sures was labeled the worst ghetto in America. This documentary examines that desperate reality through the personal stories of five local residents. Diego Echeverria's film captures the era's harsh struggles—drugs, gang violence, crime, vacant buildings, racial friction, single-parent households, and scarce community services—while simultaneously honoring the neighborhood's vibrant Puerto Rican and Dominican spirit. Through their culture, creativity, and resilience, these residents show remarkable determination to rise above their circumstances.