Born Into Exile

Another movie about kids that run away from home! They seem to be all alike. These films should be shown in high school to kids, who might be thinking of "getting out" from under their parents' rule.

As someone else said, "it's a hard world out there." Kids arrive in New York, Los Angeles and every other big city, thinking that they can "make it." When the money runs out, prostitution seems to be the only solution to get money. There's always horny men out there with dirty minds (and money) willing to corrupt the helpless young.

With the way that "Chris" broke down about his hustling experience, he must have done something heavier than engaging in oral sex. Sounds like some dude "turned him out." You don't have much choice when you have NO MONEY and a guy orders you to, "turn over." The movie was as good as most of these are. Usually, it's about a girl who gets involved with an older man who seizes the opportunity to make money by turning her into a prostitute. The male version of this is rarely told. John Rechy's book, CITY OF NIGHT, did a fine job of educating young, hopeful guys who hit New York with $75 in their jeans. All I can say is "thank God I read his book before I came to the Big Apple." I saved for three years before I stepped on the train and traveled East to live in Gotham. The hardcore pimps saw this angel and pounced, but it didn't work with me. I had OTHER plans.

I hope that schools will play this film, "Born Into Exhile" and others like "Off The Minnesota Strip" for teenagers. It might help to keep them at home and off the streets.