#597 - We Were Once Kids: Kids Exploitation Documentary - WatchThis W/RickRamos

Eddie Martin's We Were Once Kids In a continuation of last week's episode on Larry Clark and Harmony Korine's 1995 Kids, Mr. Chavez & I discovered a documentary peeling back the layers of that problematic and controversial film. Although we continue to believe that the earlier film is - in many ways - exceptional, Eddie Martin's 2021 expose (produced with Kids actor, Hamilton Harris), titled We Were Once Kids, reveals much of the troubling nature behind the making of the 1995 film. Alleged exploitation, real-life drug use, alcoholism, manipulation, and the age-old story of Hollywood's predatory nature are all explored in a film that focuses on the misunderstandings, naiveté, and sadness of a group of teenage non-actors that many would argue were taken advantage of in the creation of Kids. Questionable casting methods, alleged real-life drug use in the film, financial exploitation, betrayal and abandonment, and - finally - the death of two of the stars of the film - Justin Pierce (Casper) and Harold Hunter (Harold). A sad story, but also (another) cautionary tale on the dangers of Hollywood and the exploitation of children. The conversation includes our opinions on the events in front of and behind the camera, as well as our own impressions based on our own experiences in LA over twenty + years. An interesting conversation that we hope you find compelling. Take a listen and let us know what you think. As always, we can be reached at [email protected] - Many, Many Thanks.  For those of you who would like to donate to this undying labor of love, you can do so with a contribution at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/watchrickramos - Anything and Everything is appreciated, You Cheap Bastards.