Treatment by Ivan Kraljevic

Romeo and Juliet:  The Streets of L.A.

Two Los Angeles gangs more alike than they can admit find common ground through a pair of star cross'd lovers.

Based on Shakespeare's classic, our story roots in the heart of L.A.'s gang district: South Central.  Romeo's (22) whole life has been street life, as his father and brothers are members of a notorious black gang.  Juliet (20) is the daughter of a well-known and highly regarded member of a Latino gang.

The pair meet when Romeo crashes an engagement party for Juliet's relatives.  They spend the entire evening together, having pictures snapped of themselves.  Their connection is what we all dream of.  It is irreversible.  It is love at first sight.  They know it.  Romeo is disarmed by Juliet's smile alone.  Years of Romeo's hard life melt in a blink of Juliet's eyes as she feels free to be the princess Romeo sees.  Anything is possible for our lovers.

Juliet's friends quickly learn of the love affair after the pictures are posted on the internet.  Conflict ensues, spilling onto the streets.  Juliet urges a stop to the violence but to no avail.  Their romance is forbidden by blood and gang law.

Forbidden love is the most potent.  Romeo sneaks to Juliet's house.  The heart-breakingly earnest proclamations and promises are made.  Before he can get away Romeo is spotted in an alley by Juliet's relatives and gang connections.  Defending himself, he nearly beats one of Juliet's brothers to death.  Afraid she will never forgive him and knowing he risks a full gang war, he sends a message confessing to the beating and swearing to end his own life.  He cannot live with or without her.

Juliet learns where he intends to end his life and races to stop him.  She arrives to find him seemingly dead.  The cityscape looms in the background as Juliet takes pills from the bottle next to his body and swallows them, wishing to join her lover in death.  Romeo painfully coughs back to life, his dose insufficient.  He sees his nightmare realized as she lies motionless and cold.  In a fit of sorrow, Romeo pulls a gun and shoots himself.

Only after their bodies are discovered are the rival gangs able to put differences aside.  A joint funeral is held for Romeo and Juliet.  In an epic procession, the death of
two angels brings the city of Los Angeles together.