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  • A pill of Mandrax (methaqualone). Initially marketed as a sedative or sleeping tablet by the French pharmaceutical giant Roussell Laboratories, it turned out to be highly addictive and banned in 1977. Sold illegally in South Africa, it is smoked in conjunction with Marijuana and it is the most widely used drug in the Western Cape, sold at about 30 Rands (about 3 UK pounds) per tablet. It is crushed and smoked in pipes or bottlenecks. It makes the user feel relaxed, clam and peaceful and everything looks perfect, while turning aggressive when the effect is wearing off. It requires increased usage in order to achieve the same effects and depression feelings are not uncommon with use. According to the Cape Town Drug Counselling Centre (CTDCC) it is a really difficult habit to break in impoverished communities where young unemployed are left on their own with no government help or other activities apart from crime and gansgterism. Social injustice, weakened family links and a feeling of 'not-belonging' are also causes of problems upon the 'coloured' communities in South Africa.
    Marvin_Gangster_Redemption_05.JPG
  • Youngster smoking Mandrax (methaqualone) and Marijuana in a bottleneck, in Heideveld, CapeTown, RSA. Initially marketed as a sedative or sleeping tablet by the French pharmaceutical giant Roussell Laboratories, it turned out to be highly addictive and banned in 1977. Sold illegally in South Africa, it is smoked in conjunction with Marijuana and it is the most widely used drug in the Western Cape, sold at about 30 Rands (about 3 UK pounds) per tablet. It is crushed and smoked in pipes or bottlenecks. It makes the user feel relaxed, clam and peaceful and everything looks perfect, while turning aggressive when the effect is wearing off. It requires increased usage in order to achieve the same effects and depression feelings are not uncommon with use. According to the Cape Town Drug Counselling Centre (CTDCC) it is a really difficult habit to break in impoverished communities where young unemployed are left on their own with no government help or other activities apart from crime and gansgterism. Social injustice, weakened family links and a feeling of 'not-belonging' are also causes of problems upon the 'coloured' communities in South Africa.
    Marvin_Gangster_Redemption_12.JPG
  • Youngsters smoking Mandrax (methaqualone) and Marijuana in their backgarden, in Cape Town, RSA. Initially marketed as a sedative or sleeping tablet by the French pharmaceutical giant Roussell Laboratories, it turned out to be highly addictive and banned in 1977. Sold illegally in South Africa, it is smoked in conjunction with Marijuana and it is the most widely used drug in the Western Cape, sold at about 30 Rands (about 3 UK pounds) per tablet. It is crushed and smoked in pipes or bottlenecks. It makes the user feel relaxed, clam and peaceful and everything looks perfect, while turning aggressive when the effect is wearing off. It requires increased usage in order to achieve the same effects and depression feelings are not uncommon with use. According to the Cape Town Drug Counselling Centre (CTDCC) it is a really difficult habit to break in impoverished communities where young unemployed are left on their own with no government help or other activities apart from crime and gansgterism. Social injustice, weakened family links and a feeling of 'not-belonging' are also causes of problems upon the 'coloured' communities in South Africa.
    Marvin_Gangster_Redemption_11.JPG
  • A youngster is smoking Mandrax (methaqualone) mixed with Marijuana in Heideveld, Cape Town, RSA.  Initially marketed as a sedative or sleeping tablet by the French pharmaceutical giant Roussell Laboratories, it turned out to be highly addictive and banned in 1977. Sold illegally in South Africa, it is smoked in conjunction with Marijuana and it is the most widely used drug in the Western Cape, sold at about 30 Rands (about 3 UK pounds) per tablet. It is crushed and smoked in pipes or bottlenecks. It makes the user feel relaxed, clam and peaceful and everything looks perfect, while turning aggressive when the effect is wearing off. It requires increased usage in order to achieve the same effects and depression feelings are not uncommon with use. According to the Cape Town Drug Counselling Centre (CTDCC) it is a really difficult habit to break in impoverished communities where young unemployed are left on their own with no government help or other activities apart from crime and gansgterism. Social injustice, weakened family links and a feeling of 'not-belonging' are also causes of problems upon the ?coloured? communities in South Africa.
    Marvin_Gangster_Redemption_03.JPG
  • A dealer is making portions of Crystal Meth (aka 'tik'), an highly addictive chemical drug commonly used in impoverished neighbourhoods in the Western Cape, RSA. Serc, 26 years old, and member of a gang in Heideveld, was shot twice in front of his house by rival gangsters. He has a wife, awaiting a third child, and two young children; with the growing unemployment in the area it has been impossible for him to provide for his family, joined a gang and started selling drugs. He is the 'main guy' in the neighbourhood and people go to him if they have a problem. "If I could find a reasonable job I would definitely quit, I know all this is not good, and it is harming our very community, but now I have to go on, I have no alternative" he says. Meth is becoming increasingly popular amongst schoolchildren and it is not difficult to find kids as young as 12 with addiction. Statistics say that over a six-month period, 94% of Meth users become addicted to it. Meth gives psychotic effects such as seeing or hearing things that are not there, and it is incline to induce violent behaviour. Meth is common between gang members, it is ideal to prepare a gun-man to hit, removing inhibitions, sharpening senses and fuelling aggression. It is easily smoked in pipes or bulbs, and it does not require a laboratory to be produced: in fact, having the right substances, it can be made even in a kitchen. High availability together with the really cheap price of 30-40 Rands per straw ( about 3-4 UK pounds) is helping to increase the abuse of this dangerous substance. Dealing Meth is also a very lucrative business which can turn a 2000 Rands (200 UK pounds) investment into 5000 Rands (500 UK pounds) in a short time. Tolerance develops quickly and higher doses are soon needed to obtain the same effect on the body.
    Marvin_Gangster_Redemption_10.JPG
  • Youngsters on the streets of the impoverished neighbourhood of Heideveld, Cape Town, RSA. Here showing Marijuana worth 50 Rands (about 50 pence). With extremely high rates of unemployment, poor resources and too little authority control, ghettos as Heideveld are the best places for gangs to grow in activity and businesses. Targeting mostly young people from their area to carry on the ?dirty job?, gangs in the Western Cape, and South Africa are an endemic problem in continuous increase in the years after the radical apartheid governmental system. ?Coloured? communities have lost almost all their help from a government that now is concentrated on empowering black communities instead. Segregated into ghettos and without state grants or development activities, people in these community are sometimes forced to join a gang or dealing drugs also to provide for their own family. Young gangster are also used for the worst crimes by the fact that, being still under 18 years old, they would face shorter sentences if caught. Drug abuse between kids as young as 12 is not uncommon, especially crystal meth, mandrax and marijuana.
    Marvin_Gangster_Redemption_06.JPG
  • Crystal Meth (aka 'tik'), an highly addictive chemical drug commonly used in impoverished neighbourhoods in the Western Cape, RSA. Meth is becoming increasingly popular amongst schoolchildren and it is not difficult to find kids as young as 12 with addiction. Statistics say that over a six month period, 94% of Meth users become addicted to it. Meth gives psychotic effects such as seeing or hearing things that are not there, and it is incline to induce violent behaviour. Meth is common between gang members, it is ideal to prepare a gun-man to hit, removing inhibitions, sharpening senses and fuelling aggression. It is easily smoked in pipes or bulbs, and it does not require a laboratory to be produced: in fact, having the right substances, it can be made even in a kitchen. High availability together with the really cheap price of 30-40 Rands per straw ( about 3-4 UK pounds) is helping to increase the abuse of this dangerous substance. Dealing Meth is also a very lucrative business which can turn a 2000 Rands (200 UK pounds) investment into 5000 Rands (500 UK pounds) in a short time. Tolerance develops quickly and higher doses are soon needed to obtain the same effect on the body. Chronic abuse can lead to out-of-control rages, violence, anxiety, confusion and mood disturbances. Meth affects many parts of the central neurous system and if prolonged it does not only affects behaviour but literally changes the brain in fundamental and longstanding ways.
    Marvin_Gangster_Redemption_09.JPG
  • Inmates are taking part to a stretching session with their female trainer during the time they regularly spend carrying out physical exercise and learning about the human body inside the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_049.JPG
  • An inmate is taking part to a climbing session during the time regularly spent carrying out physical exercise and learning about the human body inside the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_048.JPG
  • Inmates are practicing instruments in the professional recording studio where they regularly play as a band, built inside the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_047.JPG
  • Guards are standing in one of the observation points build for every living section of the prison in the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_044.JPG
  • A sniffer dog is waiting for orders to begin walking through bags owned by new arrivals at the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_042.JPG
  • A Christian inmate is praying while sitting inside an area of the prison built purposely for prisoners wanting to express their faith inside the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_041.JPG
  • Inmates are smoking a cigarette in one of the open areas of the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_035.JPG
  • The medical personnel is preparing medicinal doses used by a number of inmates under treatment inside the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_033.JPG
  • An inmate is brushing his teeth in the bathroom inside one of the single-person prison cells build with various amenities in the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_029.JPG
  • Guards are eating and chatting in the lunch room of the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_028.JPG
  • Guards are lining up for lunch at the deli bar inside the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_027.JPG
  • The prison dentist is portrayed in front of her working chair while waiting for a patient inside the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_022.JPG
  • A woman guard (right) is assisting an inmate (centre) while working in the laundry room of the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_019.JPG
  • Inmates are preparing some food in one of the common kitchen and living room areas established to be a meeting point between inmates and guards and to facilitate rehabilitation inside the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_014.JPG
  • Inmates are taking part to a climbing session during the time they regularly spend carrying out physical exercise and learning about the human body inside the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_008.JPG
  • Guards are monitoring the luxurious Halden Fengsel (prison) through a CCTV camera system while sitting near the main entrance in Halden, near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_007.JPG
  • A sniffer dog has just identified a bag of a new inmate to be suspicious and is calling for attention in the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_003.JPG
  • Inmates are practicing instruments in the professional recording studio where they regularly play as a band, built inside the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_020.jpg
  • The school head-teacher is opening an exit door with his electronic badge in the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_045.JPG
  • An inmate is sitting on his bed inside one of the private prison cells built with en-suite bathroom and various other amenities in the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_043.JPG
  • Two inmates (left and right) are standing by their bedrooms next to a woman guard (centre) inside the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_040.JPG
  • An inmate (right) is taking part to a climbing session assisted by a teacher (left) during the time they regularly spend carrying out physical exercise and learning about the human body inside the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_039.JPG
  • Guards (left and right) are regularly spending time with inmates in various open areas where games like soccer, volleyball and basketball are organised in mixed teams of inmates, guards and other prison staff.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_038.JPG
  • Guards (left and right) are regularly spending time with inmates in various open areas where games like soccer, volleyball and basketball are organised in mixed teams of inmates, guards and other prison staff.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_037.JPG
  • A woman trainer (right) is inciting an inmate to run faster while in the yard of the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) during the time prisoners regularly spend carrying out physical exercise and learning about the human body in Halden, near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_036.JPG
  • Guards (left and right) are regularly spending time with inmates in various open areas where games like soccer, volleyball and basketball are organised in mixed teams of inmates, guards and other prison staff in the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_034.JPG
  • Are Høidal, the director of the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) is talking at the phone while sitting at his desk, in Halden, near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_032.JPG
  • A CCTV camera is photographed in the yard of the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_031.JPG
  • The school head-teacher is walking through underground tunnels linking every building of the luxurious Halden Fengsel (prison) and used only by the staff to rapidly reach other sections, in Halden, near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_030.JPG
  • Inmates (all but the woman teacher in the middle) are taking part to a cooking lesson inside the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_026.JPG
  • An inmate is organising his desk in the prison library, where he regularly works as an assistant inside the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway. The library is only containing books but also magazines, CDs and DVDs to be used by the inmates.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_025.JPG
  • A guard (right) is enjoying time with an inmate during a welding workshop carried out inside the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_024.JPG
  • An inmate is learning welding skills during a workshop carried out inside the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_023.JPG
  • The school head-teacher (standing) is assisting a needy inmate during an IT lesson inside a computer room of the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_021.JPG
  • An inmate is taking a look at a book while working in the prison library, containing not only books but also magazines, CDs and DVDs, inside the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_018.JPG
  • An inmate (centre) is talking to a woman guard (right) inside the prison library, containing not only books but also magazines, CDs and DVDs, inside the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_017.JPG
  • Inmates are playing cards in one of the common kitchen and living room areas established to be a meeting point between inmates and guards and to facilitate rehabilitation inside the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_016.JPG
  • Two inmates are watching a television program in one of the common kitchen and living room areas established to be a meeting point between inmates and guards and to facilitate rehabilitation inside the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_015.JPG
  • Inmates (facing camera) and their instructor are clapping hands and singing during the time they regularly spend learning and practicing music arts inside the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_013.JPG
  • Inmates are trying to use a one-wheeled bicycle inside the prison gym during the time they regularly spend carrying out physical exercise and learning about the human body at the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_012.JPG
  • A woman trainer (right) is running alongside an inmate in the yard of the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) during the time prisoners regularly spend carrying out physical exercise and learning about the human body in Halden, near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_011.JPG
  • A guard (left) is teaching car-repairing and basic mechanics to attentive inmate inside the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_010.JPG
  • A woman trainer (right) is talking to a few inmates after a run in the yard of the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) after the time they regularly spend carrying out physical exercise and learning about the human body in Halden, near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_009.JPG
  • An inmate (right) is practicing drawing along a woman guard during an art lesson at the school inside the premises of the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_006.JPG
  • An inmate is watching television while sitting on his bed inside one of the private prison cells built with en-suite bathroom and various other amenities in the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_005.JPG
  • Are Høidal, (right) the director of the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) is walking in the prison's yard alongside one of the guards in Halden, near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_004.JPG
  • A young convict is smoking a cigarette next to one of the graffiti commissioned to Dolk, a renowned Barsky-type Norwegian artist, in the luxurious Halden Fengsel, (prison) near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_002.JPG
  • The entrance of the luxurious Halden Fengsel (prison) is photographed from the street nearby in Halden, near Oslo, Norway.
    Halden_Luxury_Prison_Norway_001.JPG
  • Elisabeth, 62, a woman living in the area of Heideveld, Cape Town, RSA, since about 40 years is scared to go out even during the day because of street gun-fight. She runs a little vegetable shop with her husband, Thomas, 64, in their house. She is portrayed while behind the gate of her house in Heideveld. They acknowledge the fact that thanks to the large police station not far from their house thing are slowly getting better, but also that law enforcement is probably not the right long-term way to curb crime, gangs and drug addiction. They favour development and education for the kids but till now the government of South Africa has promoted a effectual policy towards the area of Heideveld. Police incapacity to control the gang problem has also led to the increase of vigilante groups activity, people that feeling threatened to live in their own community has engaged a fight to the gangs on their own, often creating more hatred and dissent. With extremely high rates of unemployment, poor resources and too little authority control, ghettos as Heideveld are the best places for gangs to grow in activity and businesses. Targeting mostly young people from their area to carry on the 'dirty job', gangs in the Western Cape, and South Africa are an endemic problem in continuous increase in the years after the radical apartheid governmental system. 'Coloured' communities have lost almost all their help from a government that now is concentrated on empowering black communities instead. Segregated into ghettos and without state grants or development activities, people in these community are sometimes forced to join a gang or dealing drugs also to provide for their own family.
    Marvin_Gangster_Redemption_17.JPG
  • Youngsters on the streets of the impoverished neighbourhood of Heideveld, Cape Town, RSA. Francis, a woman living in the area from 40 years is on the back; she has witnessed and has been threatened by the wave of violence affecting these communities. Her grandson, who was part of a gang in the area has been shot three times in front of her house by the common drive-by-shootings carried on by rival gangs in the neighbouring areas. Being in so close contact with members of gangs and criminal activity, youngsters are those who are most tempted to join a gang, which most of the time is also probably composed by friends and others living in the community. Making errands or favours to gang members is also common to the younger kids in these areas which are lured by the apparently easy gains deriving from the activity.  With extremely high rates of unemployment, poor resources and too little authority control, ghettos as Heideveld are the best places for gangs to grow in activity and businesses. Targeting mostly young people from their area to carry on the 'dirty job', gangs in the Western Cape, and South Africa are an endemic problem in continuous increase in the years after the radical apartheid governmental system. 'Coloured' communities have lost almost all their help from a government that now is concentrated on empowering black communities instead. Segregated into ghettos and without state grants or development activities, people in these communities are sometimes forced to join a gang or dealing drugs also to provide for their own family. Young gangster are also used for the worst crimes by the fact that, being still under 18 years old, they would face shorter sentences if caught. Drug abuse between kids as young as 12 is not uncommon, especially crystal meth, mandrax and marijuana.
    Marvin_Gangster_Redemption_14.JPG
  • Youngsters on the streets of the impoverished neighbourhood of Heideveld, Cape Town, RSA. Here in front of their house. (Marvin in the middle and former gangster Fuad on the right). Being in so close contact with members of gangs and criminal activity, youngsters are those who are most tempted to join a gang, which most of the time is also probably composed by friends and others living in the community. Making errands or favours to gang members is also common to the younger kids (?wannabes?) in these areas which are lured by the apparently easy gains deriving from the activity.  With extremely high rates of unemployment, poor resources and too little authority control, ghettos as Heideveld are the best places for gangs to grow in activity and businesses. Targeting mostly young people from their area to carry on the ?dirty job?, gangs in the Western Cape, and South Africa are an endemic problem in continuous increase in the years after the radical apartheid governmental system. ?Coloured? communities have lost almost all their help from a government that now is concentrated on empowering black communities instead. Segregated into ghettos and without state grants or development activities, people in these communities are sometimes forced to join a gang or dealing drugs also to provide for their own family. Young gangster are also used for the worst crimes by the fact that, being still under 18 years old, they would face shorter sentences if caught. Drug abuse between kids as young as 12 is not uncommon, especially crystal meth, mandrax and marijuana.
    Marvin_Gangster_Redemption_04.JPG
  • Thomas, 64, and Elisabeth, 62, are living in the area of Heideveld, Cape Town, RSA, since about 40 years and are scared to go out even during the day because of street gun-fight. They run a little vegetable shop in their house. They acknowledge the fact that thanks to the large police station not far from their house thing are slowly getting better, but also that law enforcement is probably not the right long-term way to curb crime, gangs and drug addiction. They favour development and education for the kids but till now the government of South Africa has promoted a effectual policy towards the area of Heideveld. With extremely high rates of unemployment, poor resources and too little authority control, ghettos as Heideveld are the best places for gangs to grow in activity and businesses. Targeting mostly young people from their area to carry on the 'dirty job', gangs in the Western Cape, and South Africa are an endemic problem in continuous increase in the years after the radical apartheid governmental system. ?Coloured? communities have lost almost all their help from a government that now is concentrated on empowering black communities instead. Segregated into ghettos and without state grants or development activities, people in these community are sometimes forced to join a gang or dealing drugs also to provide for their own family. Young gangster are also used for the worst crimes by the fact that, being still under 18 years old, they would face shorter sentences if caught.
    Marvin_Gangster_Redemption_15.jpg
  • Youngsters on the streets of the impoverished neighbourhood of Heideveld, Cape Town, RSA. Here in front of their house. Being in so close contact with members of gangs and criminal activity, youngsters are those who are most tempted to join a gang, which most of the time is also probably composed by friends and others living in the community. Making errands or favours to gang members is also common to the younger kids in these areas which are lured by the apparently easy gains deriving from the activity.  With extremely high rates of unemployment, poor resources and too little authority control, ghettos as Heideveld are the best places for gangs to grow in activity and businesses. Targeting mostly young people from their area to carry on the 'dirty job', gangs in the Western Cape, and South Africa are an endemic problem in continuous increase in the years after the radical apartheid governmental system. 'Coloured' communities have lost almost all their help from a government that now is concentrated on empowering black communities instead. Segregated into ghettos and without state grants or development activities, people in these communities are sometimes forced to join a gang or dealing drugs also to provide for their own family. Young gangster are also used for the worst crimes by the fact that, being still under 18 years old, they would face shorter sentences if caught. Drug abuse between kids as young as 12 is not uncommon, especially crystal meth, mandrax and marijuana.
    Marvin_Gangster_Redemption_08.JPG
  • Marvin, 20 years old, former gangster, by a wall of a school close to the impoverished area of Heideveld, Cape Town, RSA. Marvin was a hit-man, working also for different gangs such as 'The Americans' and the 'Junior Mafia' between the age of 15 and 19. He grow up in the mainly 'coloured' area of  Heideveld, where unemployment is rife and gangs are flourishing. He was also addicted by Crystal Meth (aka 'tik'), a dangerous chemical drug very common in South Africa's poorest neighbourhoods. Thanks to his family he was helped to get out of the gangs and to join a free academy for skills development aimed at empowering troubled youths through training and discipline, called Chrysalis (www.chrysalisacademy.org.za). He finished a three month course there and he is now about to  start working in the tourism industry; he know the wrongs has done and he does not want to go back to that life anymore. Chrysalis aim at reducing the levels of crime and violence in the Western Cape by transforming 'youth at risk' into strong, positive community leaders of the future through intensive continuous training. Marvin is actually heading life orientation lessons to institutes as the School of Hope, in Athlone, Cape Town, where troubled young kids at risk are getting education (run by Thembalitsha.org.za a local NGO).
    Marvin_Gangster_Redemption_01.JPG
  • Francis, 76 years old, a woman living since 40 years in the impoverished area of Heideveld, Cape Town, RSA. She thinks the situation is getting slowly better in the area compared with the lawlessness experienced during the 1980s. Her grandson, who was part of a gang in the area has been shot three times in front of her house by the common drive-by-shootings carried on by rival gangs in the neighbouring areas. She is scared to walk to the shops in Heideveld because she could find herself in the middle of a gunfight on the streets, but she also acquired some confidence after the government decided to build a large police station just on the area's outskirts. She laments the increasing problems due to drug dealing and abuse amongst the youngs and, like most of the people I spoke to, the soaring rate of unemployment. "If the government helps us with jobs then the situation would b better" she believes. The US style 'war on gangs' protracted since a few years by the government of South Africa is not showing its fruits; on the contrary, critics has been made to it for the excessive penalties suffered by alleged gang members that overburden an already instable prison system, whether in many advocate a better development and education policy and programmes, rather that an open fight, clarly ineffectual on the long-term. In the mainly 'coloured' area of  Heideveld, where unemployment is rife, gangs are flourishing.
    Marvin_Gangster_Redemption_18.JPG
  • Marvin, 20 years old, former gangster, teaching a life orientation lesson to young neglected youngsters in the School of Hope in Athlone, Cape Town, RSA, where troubled young kids at risk are getting education (run by Thembalitsha.org.za a local NGO). Marvin was a hit-man, working also for different gang such as 'The Americans' and the 'Junior Mafia' between the age of 15 and 19. He grow up in the mainly 'coloured' area of  Heideveld, where unemployment is rife and gangs are flourishing. He was also addicted by crystal meth (aka 'tik'), a dangerous chemical drug very common in South Africa's poorest neighbourhoods. Thanks to his family, after having been to reformatory, he was helped to get out of the gangs and to join a free academy for skills development aimed at empowering troubled youths through training and discipline, called Chrysalis (www.chrysalisacademy.org.za). He finished a three month course there and he is now about to  start working in the tourism industry; he know the wrongs has done and he does not want to go back to that life anymore. Chrysalis aim at reducing the levels of crime and violence in the Western Cape by transforming 'youth at risk' into strong, positive community leaders of the future through intensive continuous training. ?After I left the gang I was working for in the Woodstock area of Cape Town I have made myself some enemies; I cannot go back there anymore because someone has still anger left for me?I don?t want that life anymore, I want to live peacefully and fulfil my aspirations, you see: it is a matter of having little short-term goals, once you have achieved one you go onto the next, and so on. Always think you can do it, don?t give up, go for it again. I was running in dark corners, there was no way out, I did not have a goal, I had no dreams. You need to believe that you are worthwhile. Life is hard, it depends on you on how you want to make your life. Make everyday your day."
    Marvin_Gangster_Redemption_16.jpg
  • Marvin, 20 years old, former gangster, teaching a life orientation lesson to young neglected youngsters in the School of Hope in Athlone, Cape Town, RSA, where troubled young kids at risk are getting education (run by Thembalitsha.org.za a local NGO). Marvin was a hit-man, working also for different gang such as 'The Americans' and the 'Junior Mafia' between the age of 15 and 19. He grow up in the mainly 'coloured' area of  Heideveld, where unemployment is rife and gangs are flourishing. He was also addicted by crystal meth (aka 'tik'), a dangerous chemical drug very common in South Africa's poorest neighbourhoods. Thanks to his family, after having been to reformatory, he was helped to get out of the gangs and to join a free academy for skills development aimed at empowering troubled youths through training and discipline, called Chrysalis (www.chrysalisacademy.org.za). He finished a three month course there and he is now about to  start working in the tourism industry; he know the wrongs has done and he does not want to go back to that life anymore. Chrysalis aim at reducing the levels of crime and violence in the Western Cape by transforming 'youth at risk' into strong, positive community leaders of the future through intensive continuous training. ?After I left the gang I was working for in the Woodstock area of Cape Town I have made myself some enemies; I cannot go back there anymore because someone has still anger left for me?I don?t want that life anymore, I want to live peacefully and fulfil my aspirations, you see: it is a matter of having little short-term goals, once you have achieved one you go onto the next, and so on. Always think you can do it, don?t give up, go for it again. I was running in dark corners, there was no way out, I did not have a goal, I had no dreams. You need to believe that you are worthwhile. Life is hard, it depends on you on how you want to make your life. Make everyday your day."
    Marvin_Gangster_Redemption_02.JPG
  • Zil, 23, from Poland, (right) is playing records at a party in the Ingram Avenue mansion, on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007, in Hampstead, London, England, while a couple of ravers are preparing lines of the drug speed on his right. The 22-room mansion was last sold for UK£ 3.9M in 2002 and is now awaiting planning permissions to be demolished. Two new houses will soon be taking its place. Million Dollar Squatters is a documentary project in the lives of a peculiar group of squatters residing in three multi-million mansions in one of the classiest residential neighbourhoods of London, Hampstead Garden. The squatters' enthusiasm, their constant efforts to look after what has become their home, their ingenuity and adventurous spirit have all inspired me throughout the days and nights spent at their side. Between the fantasy world of exclusive Britain and the reality of squatting in London, I have been a witness to their unique story. While more than 100.000 properties in London still lay empty to this day, squatting provides a valid, and lawful alternative to paying Europe's most expensive rent prices, as well as offering the challenge of an adventurous lifestyle in the capital.
    MillionDollarSquatters44.jpg
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