Shottas
dir. Cess Silvera · 2002
The struggle for survival often leads individuals to make choices that entangle them in a cycle of violence and loyalty.
Feature
Organized Crime
Mood
Dark
Look
gritty realism with vibrant urban landscapes
Structure
non-linear, focusing on pivotal moments in characters' lives
Plot
A raw urban drama about two friends raised on the dangerous streets of Kingston, Jamaica. Biggs and Wayne take on the "Shotta" way of life to survive. As young boys, they begin a life of crime, eventually moving to the US where they begin a ruthless climb from the bottom. They remain bound to each other by their shottas loyalty as they aggressively take control of the Jamaican underworld.
Why watch
"Shottas" immerses viewers in the tumultuous lives of two friends navigating the perilous underworld of Kingston and beyond, where loyalty and ambition collide in a raw portrayal of survival against all odds.
Cultural context
Jamaican diasporastreet culturesocioeconomic strugglesgang violence