Tales of the Grim Sleeper (Nick Broomfield, 2014): USA/UK

Reviewed by Vanessa Garnreiter. Viewed at AFIFest 2014.

The Director Nick Broomfield tells the story of Lonnie Franklin and the crime he did. It is claimed that he killed over 100 woman in 25 years. We all ask ourself the question – how is it possible that he was able to kill young, innocent women for over twenty five years? We are invited to dive in the story by starting with the world google map until we are in South Los Angeles right at Lonnie Franklin’s house. He lived in a black communiti and was known as a good guy who had a wife and a son. In 2010 he got arrested and is in jail since. Friends who hang out with him never have thought that he killed so many young woman. The murderer was known as a nice guy paying prostitues to have sex with him. Aquaintances also claim he liked to take pictures of woman and store them in this garage.

As a very convincing man, Nick Broomfield,was able to let people from Lonnie Franklin’s neighborghood tell the story themselves. A woman named BLALA as a former prostitute and crack addict, gives broomfield the opportunity to talk to more surviers who knew the murderer. The affected people from Franklin’s neighborhood are talking about the incidents. The fact that Broomfield was able to convince those people to tell their personal and sad story makes this film even greater. Another woman who works as a activist to fight for a womans right talks about how black woman are affected by discrimination, racism and sexism. Every individual deserves the same right and respect. The fact the activist claimed, is that because Franklin murdered black women the LA police did not help. They say do not call 911, they won’t help you. This fact really shocked me and makes me think more broadly. What needs to happen that racism and discrimination against women stop? In the end one of the survivers who got raped and nearly killed by Lonnie Franklin said, “This is not the life I wanted”.

It makes me feel sick at heart to hear about this story. I pray for all the women who were affected by this tragedy. – Nick Broomfield created a work of art. This movie is an eyeopening experience!