Kurt Sutter's Outlaw Empires
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Docu about criminal groups is both insightful and violent.
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What's the Story?
OUTLAW EMPIRES is a documentary series that looks into the world of street gangs and organized crime families that have dominated American streets and shaped American history. Produced by Sons of Anarchy creator Kurt Sutter, the series features interviews with some of the key people involved with underground groups like the Italian Mafia, the Aryan Brotherhood, and the Crips. Through their detailed accounts, the unique inner workings of each organization is revealed. How they have changed over the years is also discussed. Archival imagery and reenactments of key events are also featured. Throughout it all, Sutter offers his own insight about the activities of each organization, and helps underscore how they have impacted overall American society.
Is It Any Good?
The series offers an unapologetic and non-judgmental look at the culture and activities of some of America's most well-known underground organizations. It also offers some interesting discussions about the roles they have had in criminal activities like the prohibition, the current illegal drug trade, and major violent events, like the L.A. riots.
Learning about these events through the personal narratives is interesting, but the way they share their stories is also intriguing. The pride that many exhibit for being a member of these groups often tells us more about the culture of these organizations than the disturbing details about some of their criminal activities. As a result, the series offers viewers a way of understanding them from a perspective that is both insightful and disturbing.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about making documentaries. How are documentarians able to interview people who are considered dangerous, or who live and/or work in out-of-the-way or violent places? Do they put themselves in harm's way when they do this? Why do you think they do it? Is it worth the risk?
Why is it important to understand how criminal organizations develop and function in American society? What are the lessons to be learned? Do you think violent images and reenactments shown make these lessons stronger? Or does it simply make the series more entertaining?
TV Details
- Premiere date: May 14, 2012
- Cast: Kurt Sutter
- Network: Discovery Channel
- Genre: Reality TV
- Topics: History
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: October 23, 2022
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