Sunday, August 22, 2010

India From 80 Blocks

















One of my favorite people to appear in 80 Blocks From Tiffany's is "India" of the Savage Skulls. Like most people who are intrigued with this documentary, I find myself aching to know where the people who appeared in this film are now. I am most curious about India's whereabouts, mostly because she is the centerpiece for some very candid moments that occur in front of the camera towards the film's conclusion.































I got goosebumps upon first viewing the moment she is on the microphone at the block party exclaiming "yes yes y'all, now freak it to the beat y'all." What occurs directly after this is perhaps my favorite moment of the film, when a set microphone and Joan Churchill's (Director of Photography) camera catch India declaring her true feelings for "Fly." You can see an expression of utter nervousness overcome her for a moment directly after sharing her love for him. I find this scene to be so compelling, perhaps even more powerful than any moments of fine acting I've viewed. To me, it's an amazing moment between two kids, in a time I could never visit, in a place that no longer exists.






















Where is India now? Where did life take her? Is she alive? Like most individuals who appear in the film, a google search yields little to no results. With India, there are none, and of course it doesn't help when I have no real name.


Where are you India? Some twenty-something in the year 2010 is asking about you. It would be a great honor and pleasure to speak with you about your experiences during the making of the film, among other things. To all other readers, if you have any leads, hip me to them… and make sure to add 80 Blocks From Tiffany's to your collection when it drops!




45 comments:

  1. Damn, I was thinking the same time when I saw this a while back.

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  2. India [real name gladys] passed away abt. 1984 from complications from aids.

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    1. Here name waa not Gladys and she didn't die in 1984 from complications from aids. I know this because she is my aunt.

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    2. what a troll, for sure,, how you going to try to get attention but stay incognito. But seriously, you need attention that bad that you trolling this site..

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  3. I'm very sorry to hear this news. If you have any more information regarding Gladys, please share! Were you a friend of hers?

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  4. Hi Will; No problem-She was 23 when she died-last name was Rodriguez,I was wrong on the year-it was actually Feb. 1985-still in the Bronx-No telling how HIV was contracted, but in the 80's in the Bronx it was an epidemic-Don't know a lot more-i knew her but wasn't really a friend-most of her fam is also deceased-a brother and a sister-both murdered in their 20s-no sure of their names but could prob find out quickly enough-

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    1. OMG where are you getting your info about my aunt. How dare you.

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  5. Thanks so much for the additional info! I know I'm not the only person who very much appreciated her presence in the film "80 Blocks." It's sad to hear the news of her passing all those years back, and at such a young age. It really bums me out, but I truly do appreciate you sharing this knowledge. I know a lot of people wonder "where are they now" in regards to the people in this film!

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  6. You are very welcome--if I get more Ill shoot it your way.

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  7. Wow, I was also interested in knowing what happened to most of the people in this film, most importantly "India"

    To me it seemed as she could go in either direction, meaning that she could go on and become something or stay there. It was difficult living there during that time and this was before AIDS and crack hit. Any info on the other gals or characters in the movie?

    Thanks in advance.

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  8. I know that India's sister Rosemary was murdered. I would like to know more about the incident and I cannot find out anything online. Can anyone fill me in?

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  9. Just goes to show: crime doesn't pay. Almost all of the people in the gangs in this documentary ended up dead or in prison -- from what I've been able to learn. It is total stupidity to idolise or immortalise these people -- they were murderers, thieves and rapists. Nothing glamorous about that! Sure, you might see some (or all) of them as victims, but it's not all out of their hands -- they are not innocent -- actually, quite a few people from this area who weren;t in gangs went on and became productive people.

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  10. I resent the whole "they deserved what they got" statement in the last comment. last i checked we all fall short from perfection. no one is "innocent" we are all guilty of one sin or other... any loss of life due to ignorance is something to be sad over. congrats to those who became "productive" inspite of the numerous obstacles, RIP to those who didnt. JAS146/163

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  11. Yea thas sad news but alot of people died like her.Is sad she died of that i wonder who gave her that maybe her boyfriend? idk it makes you ask questions you know.at the end of the day she was a humble human being and we love her and honor her to this day here.I miss her! she was cute, always had the greatest smile, she could light up a room when she smiled and she was talented in arts.This is where hip hop started folks, you are looking at the roots of hip hop right there in that block party.
    The 70s and 80s were wild. Those days will never come beck. THANK GOD and Mayor Guliani! The bronx has changed it is no longer those fort apache days, you can now walk around certain parts of the Bronx day or night that you couldnt back when i was growing up those neighborhoods were flooded with people like in this documentary. this doc is just one block, we was mad they didnt came to our block to shoot. Just dont try to front when you come around here, some of these people left kids and those kids now have kids. You get the picture! Peace love 174 morris ave Dominicanchoco

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  12. I just wanna say that I have a 13 YR old Daughter and for the life of me resembles Gladys sooooo much.. It's weird to read about someone else's qualities and see their features and it reminds you so much of your own child.

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  13. Hi guys,

    Has anyone ever read the Esquire article that was the basis of the documentary? Is the "Popeye" guy mentioned Blackie?

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  14. India DID NOT die in 1984 or 1985. This is clearly a case of mistaken identity. India's real name is Diana. She died in 2012 due to complications of stage 4 cancer amongst other health issues. I know this for a fact because her only child is my best friend and I was present the day she was diagnosed with cancer. This is NOT hearsay as I have pictures of her to prove it and we've shared many conversations prior to her passing. She was a kind and loving woman who had many struggles as a young adult however she did not speak much of the past. It must have been divine intervention that I would stumble upon this video on youtube. May she rest in eternal peace. We miss her everyday!

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    1. Thank you for clearing my aunts name

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  15. just to clarify India did not passed away in 1984 of aid's and her name was not Gladys. her name was Diana. and she passed away in 2012 of cancer. i know this for a fact because she was my wife's Aunt. and have plenty of Family photo's of moment that we shared. I thank god for placing this woman in my path she was a beautiful person with a lot of love. of course as a young adult she had struggles who haven't . The things i miss the most from her she would always call and end the conversation with. if No one said they love you i do. May she rest in eternal peace and we love you from your Family and Friend's

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  16. She changed her name to Michelle and has been in alot of movies best known in the Fast and Furious series.

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    1. I'm hollering in tears! Lmao💀💀💀

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  17. Most of the people in this documentary are NOT dead now...some like Horse and Crazy Joe did pass away, as did Hollywood from the Skulls(from falling off a railing while stoned on hard shit) Fly is still around, last I heard he was a security guard and so is DSR. Blackie is still around also, living in hunts point. So people should not post any bullshit here.

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    1. How is Fly and DSL? What happen horse and Joe?

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    2. how old is Fly and DSL?

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    3. what happened to manny and frankenstein?

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  18. Its also important to note that while alot of these people seemed cool and even at times articulate and intelligent, they were guilty of committing some very awful crimes...India for instance...her sister was raped by a guy in the Skulls, and nothing was done about it. I know for a fact that Blackie Mercado has personally killed more than 5 people...Fly's brother, who was also a savage nomad raped and killed a teenaged girl without even giving her a chance and is now doing life for it...so alot of these people were pieces of shit...myself included...and I will tell you something else...many of them were not tough at all...they were only tough when they had alot of their brothers with them. Alot of cowards there too. Don't get me wrong , some of us were very tough also...Horse for instance who died a long time ago, was one mean son of a bitch, so was Joe. There was also Nevil who is not seen in the documentary whom I personally saw beat the crap out of 3 guys from the Bronx enchanters by himself...even Jamal who talked alot of shit and had problems with alot of the brothers, was actually a really good fighter. Some of the younger guys were quite scared of him because he was a bully too... but when he says that his family took on the whole saigon gang, he is not lying there either. They really did that...I don't know about those bleach bottles, but they did fight those Saigon dudes. Anyway , peace to all the brothers and sisters who are still around. When I get out of jail in three years I am looking forward to seeing some folks again.

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    1. To the Montrealer- I think I know who you are...you were a nomad and you left the south bronx back in 82 to go work in lumber in Canada?? you were also one of the only white members?

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    2. How and when did Jamal die?

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    3. Hey montrealer were you in the nomads with all the guys from the documentary when it was filmed? Why did Jamal have problems with other club brothers? In the doc fly tells Jamal " I've been helping you out with most of the shit that's been going on in the club." We're they good friends? And one last thing did you know Hollywood from the savage skulls, If so what ever happened to that dude?

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  19. Does anyone remember Jimmy Vazquez from the Savage Skulls? He did time in '75 for shooting and killing a Golden Guinea?

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  20. what ever happend to Evelyn?

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  21. Would love to see a where are they now segment on this documentary.

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  22. Hey Montrealer, shed some light on more stories from that era...They're interesting and ppl can also learn from those rough times. Pretty sure u're the one Crazy Joe was referring to as being mixed French Canadian & Native...reppin' Mtl-Nord,peace!

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  23. Yeah I'm curious as well. There is a rudimentary website from the earlier days of the internet dedicated to the savage nomads, it confirms that crazy joe, Jamal and horse among others did die in the south Bronx. I wanna know which story about "India" is true and what is the story behind "flys brother and fly himself

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    1. fly's brother was called shotgun on the street. his real name was ismael mercado. he went to jail for raping two girls and pushing them down an elevator shaft and then returning to kill them

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  24. Does anybody here know that there is a seventeen minute interview with officer Werner on Vimeo from 2015? Doesn’t reveal what happened to India unfortunately but a lot of other good info

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  25. Je vais m'exprimer en français pour rendre hommage à India et pour remercier Will C. au sujet de son blog.
    Le reportage sur le Bronx est fascinant mais India apporte vraiment un supplément d'âme dès qu'elle paraît, tant elle est pétillante et pleine de vie !
    Est-il vrai qu'elle s'identifie à Gladys Rodriguez (3 mars 1961- février 1985) ? Si oui, quelle malheur ! Quelle triste destinée de mourir si jeune !
    C'est vraiment une bonne idée de lui consacrer ce blog !
    Je suis vraiment d'accord, la scène entre les deux amoureux est bouleversante : "I love you, infortunately..." C'est très fort !
    Yvan (Paris - France)
    (Maybe, I'll translate later but I think it's easy for you with Internet if you really want...)

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  26. So, my translation (attempt) of my message from January 18, 2018 :
    I would like to express a tribute to India and to thank Will C. for his blog.
    The report about the Bronx is fascinating but India is really bringing a supplement of soul as soon as she's appearing, so much she's sparkling and full of life!
    Is it true that she's identifying with Gladys Rodriguez (March 3, 1961 - February 1, 1985)? (Nota : on the web : "Gladys Rodriguez - People search, genealogy, find deceased...)
    If yes, what a pity! What a sad fate to die so young!
    It's really a good idea to consecrate this blog for India!
    I'm really agree, the scene with the two lovers (India and Fly) is deeply distressing : "I love you, unfortunately..." It's great!
    Yvan (Paris - France)

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  27. There is something that I like to know, cause I'm not sure to understand what happened to India before the last scene, when we sawed her after somebody struck her in one eye.
    If I understand, she told about "my old man". Who was that one? Fly or her father? This is not clear for me...
    Yvan (Paris)

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    1. Hello Yvan,
      I just watched that part again to make sure I understood it right. I'm positive she's not referring to Fly with regard to who struck her. She had to be referring to her father.
      Kaz

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    2. Merci Karen ! It's better for Fly...
      Yvan

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  28. I'm very interested in knowing who was the original founder of the Savage Nomads in the 60s...

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  29. did any of the people in the doc end up doing ok afterwards? i read somewhere that commanche ended up successful, and i saw DSR in the other doc, but what about the skulls like Frankenstein and Manny?

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  30. Jamal real name Robert is alive and well and sure did make a lot of children before and during his time in the nomads i will be featuring him in a upcoming documentary

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  31. And Miss Butler? Great person. And can you find Fly, Frankenstein, Blackie, Camacho, Evelyn,...? I would love to see where they are today

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