I was ready to hate this, not being a fan of that style of music and initially it seemed that the doco was essentially glamorising criminals.
While they are indeed criminals, they are trying to better their situation and turn their lives around, and trying to give hope to their communities.
The style of music lyrically is somewhat controversial, and it's clear that Australian police don't get it. This doco has at least got cooperation and involvement from the police, but presents it in such a way that is in itself unfair - while the police's actions are undoubtedly heavy handed, it is not unfounded since they are dealing with criminals. Bringing the race argument into the discussion also seems unnecessary, and just distracts from the narrative.
In the end, it's a compelling story, told well but mostly from one perspective. You can feel a real empathy with the group members, and really hope for them to succeed, whether you like their music or message.
OneFour: Against All Odds
2023
Crime / Documentary / Music
OneFour: Against All Odds
2023
Crime / Documentary / Music
Plot summary
A group of Sydney-based, Pacific Islander kids start recording drill raps to avoid a life of crime. Two years into their meteoric rise, a police task force shuts down their sold-out national tour due to concerns that the group's music will incite violence.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
October 29, 2023 at 02:45 AM
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.WEB 1080p.WEB 1080p.WEB.x265Movie Reviews
Unbalanced but compelling
Great insight, great story
This is a pretty important doco for all Australians, and also non Australians to see. Amazing insight on these lads growing up in Western Sydney, and into how the Australian police force enforces censorship.
Shows a harsh reality of friends growing up in the rougher parts of Australia, then discovering music and using it to tell their stories in a raw form, why? Because that was their reality. Music should make you feel something, and ONEFOUR's absolutely does. But powers that be don't like people expressing themselves if it doesn't conform to their ideals.
They were no angels but don't deserve the treatment they have received and continue to receive from NSW police, when they are trying to better their lives and tell their story.
So many unanswered questions
But did any of you not see that guy laying on the ground in the pub with 3 men stomping their feet onto his head?? Plus 3 out of the 4 one four members have served time in gaol for gang related violence.
Sydney was getting out of control. That's the only reason the police created new laws to be able to better deal with the violence. They didn't have any power to deal with it that's why the laws were created.
And sure EX gang members deserve a second chance. These guys should get a second change IF they have really left all their criminal activities behind them.
I want to know what grounds the police had their final search warrant for, you don't get a search warrants just for s&8ts and giggles. And also was the final act stopped or was the searching by the police done after One Four performed. The ending was very rushed and seemed to be brushed over. Hmmm.