Square Grouper

by Mikelle Street

Presenting three separate case studies, in 99 minutes Billy Corben gives viewers an in depth view into marijuana smuggling in Florida. Introducing us to the Ethiopian Coptic Church, the townspeople of Everglades City, and the members of the Black Tuna Gang the film speaks to the various causes for the smuggling as well as the variety of those involved.

Opening with the Ethiopian Coptic Church, the documentary walks us through the beginnings of what became a multimillion dollar business. A church based in Jamaica, the Coptic church is most noted for their use of ganja, or marijuana. After building the church up in Jamaica until it was the largest employer in Jamaica, the church sought for an "American embassy" and set it's eyes on Star Island where they purchased a large home which became only part of the $1.6 million dollars in homes in Florida that the church owned. Eventually though, the government came in and imprisoned the major players of the church, sentencing most of them anywhere from 1 to 12 years.

Part two was about the Black Tuna gang, started by two childhood friends, one of whom happened to be a good salesman. An operation which sort of evolved organically from middle man to big time supplier, the Black Tuna gang was just another sales job for some as most believed that it was only a matter of time before the drug became legalized. The gang, like the other two groups was subsequently disbanded, it's members facing decades in prison.

The last group the film displayed happened to be the fishermen of Everglade City. What was at one time a small fisherman's village, quickly turned into a major drug smuggling city because of the establishment of a government run park, and the regulation of fishing licenses. The activity was known throughout the town but everyone accepted it as just "another job" that someone had to do. When the "bust" came down, many of the men turned themselves in and about 80% of the adult mail population was thrown in jail.

Satan Since 2003

by Mikelle Street

A 20 minute documentary made by Carlos Puga about the moped subculture in Richmond, Virginia, Satan Since 2003 revolves around the "moped gang" the Hell Satans. Composed of about 60 members, the Hell Satans are a rag tag community known for their whining two wheelers, and bad attitudes. "It's not good for business I tell you that," the owner of The Black Swan says at the opening of the film. Another resident of Richmond tells the cameramen "It's kind of like a wannabe motorcycle."

The Hell Satans, like any other gang has problem with turf wars. With other gangs in the city like Petty Cash, Scorpions, and rival gang The Terribles, turf becomes a problem quickly. A series of pranks between the two rivals quickly escalates into more serious matters when Hippy, a little brother like figure to the main character Pat Lowery, is hit by a car driven by The Terribles. "Fighting fire with fire" the film ends with Lowery tossing a homemade bomb in the direction of a group of The Terribles.

It is only afterwards that Festival Director Andy Smith reveals that when the film debuted at Sundance, Puga informed them all that it was only part documentary, with all of the violence and "beef" between gangs being staged.