We Gotta Get Out Of Here

We Gotta Get Out Of Here is a captivating, raw, and emotional documentary released in 2019. It offers an unfiltered glimpse into the lives of five ethnically diverse and culturally rich foster youth from Southern Los Angeles. The pivotal characters of the movie are Tyraughn Barnett, Michael Gutschmidt, Tiffani Hayes, Benny Lee Kennedy, and Rayna Bruger.

The plot centers on the labyrinthine struggles and immense challenges faced by these youngsters as they approach the legal age limit in the foster care system. It paints the harsh reality they grapple with as they strive to escape the ills of the system and strive for a better future. The viewer is taken through a remarkable journey as they watch these young souls cope with the hurdles on their path to adulthood.

The film engages the audience with the unique individual stories of these young adults, deeply rooted in their varied backgrounds. Tyraughn Barnett grapples with the lasting influence of the gang culture he was exposed to. It’s not just a story about his desperate bid to escape his past, but also a tale of reclaiming his life and future.

Michael Gutschmidt, on the other hand, is left alone and vulnerable by the system. The audience gets a glimpse into his life as he battles loneliness, the stigmas of being in foster care, and the complex emotions that come with entering adulthood with no support system in place.

Tiffani Hayes, another protagonist, provides a heart-touchingly candid view of her battles. She lets the viewer understand the immense pressure and relentlessness required to rise above the circumstances she encountered during her time in foster care.

Benny Lee Kennedy and Rayna Bruger also share their heart-wrenching experiences in the biting clutches of the foster care system. Their challenges, but also their undying spirit and determination, are inspiring as they struggle to make sense of their past and work to create a stable and independent future.

With the camera trained on developing their distinct narratives, the film captures the collective resilience, perseverance, and fighting spirit of these five foster youth. Too close to home for many and too foreign for some, the film presents an emotionally charged atmosphere that successfully strikes a chord with each viewer.

Beyond its main characters, the movie also explores the larger systemic flaws that are often inherent in foster care systems globally. It delves into the issues faced by many foster children who age out of the system, only to be left with no place to call home, no support system, and no guidance on how they should navigate life as independent adults. It raises questions on the gaping lack of life skills training and resources needed by these foster youth to transition into adulthood successfully.

Along with its emotional storytelling, We Gotta Get Out Of Here provides the viewers a thought-provoking outlook on the bureaucracy fraught with critical loopholes. It raises awareness about the pressing need to revisit and reform the entire system for better outcomes for fostered youth.

Directed by Jen Araki and Brook Bolen, the film grips the audience with factual storytelling, devoid of unnecessary frills. It is a significant feat of documentary filmmaking through which the voices of these courageous individuals ring loud and clear.

Overall, We Gotta Get Out Of Here is an impactful documentary that sheds much-needed light on an often overlooked, yet crucial social issue. It draws attention to the dire need for reform in the foster care system while celebrating the spirit and resilience of a group of inspired youths determined to dictate their own destinies. Ultimately, it's a timely testament to the old adage - where there's a will, there's a way.