Gook — Trailer

added: Thu, Apr 27th '17

Following his feature directorial debut, the 2013 indie comedy "Man Up," Korean-American actor/filmmaker Justin Chon (from the "Twilight" films and "21 & Over") is now taking a provocative, fresh, and insightful look at the 1992 L.A. Riots with his provocatively titled sophomore effort "Gook."

Chon not only writes, directs but also stars in the black-and-white film, which draws heavily from his own childhood as his father had owned a shoe store in East Compton which was maliciously looted during the start of the 1992 riots.

The film, itself, follows two Korean American brothers (played by Chon and YouTube comedian David So) who are stuck running their late father's shoe store during the hours leading up to the racially-charged unrest. The movie also revolves around a spunky 11-year-old African-American girl (newcomer Simone Baker) who befriends the two brothers while they guard their family-run store.

"Gook" received strong reviews when it premiered back in January at this year's Sundance Film Festival, where it nabbed the NEXT audience award. Acquired by Samuel Goldwyn Films, the movie is slated to open in theaters this summer, on August 18th.

In the meantime, you can watch the newly released trailer, above. This Saturday, by the way, will mark the 25th anniversary of the L.A. Riots.

synopsis:
Eli (Justin Chon) and Daniel (David So) are two Korean American brothers that run their late father's shoe store in a predominantly African American community of Los Angeles. These two brothers strike up a unique and unlikely friendship with an 11-year-old African American girl, Kamilla (Simone Baker). As Daniel dreams of becoming a recording artist and Eli struggles to keep the store afloat, racial tensions build to a breaking point in L.A. as the "infamous" L.A. Riots break out.

directed by Justin Chon

starring Justin Chon, David So, Simone Baker

release date August 18, 2017

View all trailers / clips for:

Gook