Down for Life is a 2009 American dramatic film directed by Alan Jacobs based on the true story of a 15-year-old Latina gang leader in Watts, Los Angeles. The story follows one day in her life as she struggles to break away from her gang. Made in cinéma vérité style, the film stars many local teens, with veteran actors such as Danny Glover, Laz Alonso, Kate del Castillo, and Snoop Dogg in supporting roles. Down for Life focuses on the gritty reality of gang life and the racial tension surrounding it. Ultimately, the film’s message is one of hope to those in tough circumstances while shedding light on a pressing social issue. Plot The film spans one day in the life of Anjelica Soto, aka “Rascal”, a 15-year-old Latino gang leader in Watts, as she struggles to survive. Surrounded by escalating violence and racial tensions, Rascal realizes her days in the gang are numbered. Encouraged by Mr. Shannon, her English teacher, to apply for a writing program in Iowa, Rascal hopes to use the material from her life to write her way out of Watts. The forces around Rascal thrust her into a deadly cycle of violence that seems almost impossible to escape. To leave, she will have to make the dangerous decision to renounce her loyalty to the gang. Cast Jessica Romero as "Rascal" Danny Glover as Mr. Shannon Elizabeth Peña as Mrs. Castro Snoop Dogg as Mr. Hightower Laz Alonso as Officer Barber Kate del Castillo as Esther Lil Rob as Manny Nicholas Gonzalez as Officer Guttierez Emily Rios as Vanessa Cesar Garcia as "Flaco" Andres Xavier Sanchez as "Sneaky" Whitney Gamble as Aisha Andrea Valenzuela as "Babygirl" Isamar Guijarro as "Troubles" Carlos Knight as Extra (uncredited) Background Down for Life is based on the actual experiences of Lesly Castillo, born October 4, 1989, in Jalisco, Mexico. The Castillo family moved to Los Angeles from Mexico when Lesly was four years old. Her father worked nights for a demolition company. Her mother was a housewife, raising Lesly and her two younger siblings. Lesly attended Locke High School in South Central Los Angeles, where some of the movie was filmed. Having the reputation as one of the city’s lowest performing schools, Locke High School often witnessed “one of the homegirls or homeboys… get shot or killed or just simply put in jail.” In 2001, out of a class of