Rich vs Poor: The Harsh Divide in Los Angeles

It's the symbol of the American dream. The city the whole world looks to.

Every year, over 42.2 million tourists flock to Los Angeles, from the mythical Venice Beach to the chic Beverly Hills neighbourhoods. The film capital of the world has become a beacon for Americans and expatriates in search of the American dream. But for many, the glitz and glamour of the City of Angels has lost its lustre.

Just 10 km from the studios, the notorious Skid Row district is still going strong. Here, 4,757 homeless people live in makeshift shelters or on the asphalt. If just a few years ago, the homeless area was confined to these 4 blocks of Downtown Los Angeles, it now extends all the way to the Pacific coast, where tents and motorhomes flourish on the roadsides. This is due to an unprecedented housing crisis. In the richest state in the US, housing has become almost impossible to come by. As a result, Californians are abandoning their homes to live in motorhomes or converted vehicles.

Violent crime is also increasing. More people are being killed in LA than in other big cities. Armed settlements between gangs result in 1,000 shootings every year. We take a closer look at this destroyed California, from Skid Row to the southern suburbs. Gangs, crime, homelessness and a distressed middle class…

This documentary was produced by Impala Production and directed by Barbara Hinderholtz . It was first released in 2024.

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