Set in Los Angeles during the 1992 race riots, Gook – the spellbinding second feature from writer-director Justin Chon, following Man Up – looks at bigotry through the eyes of two Korean brothers caught in the firestorm. Chon, best known as an actor in the Twilight series, plays Eli, who teams with his brother Daniel (David So), a wannabe R&B singer, to run a women's shoe store that their father established on the border of South Central, where the customers are mostly black and Chicano. Eli and Daniel are of the community,...
- 8/25/2017
- Rollingstone.com
Despite racial tensions in Us history, many people of different races will come together as family and friends despite these issues.
Ben Munoz (Enemy Within, A Father’s Journey) stars alongside with Justin Chon, Simone Baker and David So in this story about friendship as the La riots unfolded in Gook.
Gook follows Eli and Daniel, two Korean-American brothers that run their late father’s show 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, Kamila. As Daniel dreams of becoming a recording artist and Eli struggles to keep the story afloat, racial tensions build to a breaking point in Los Angeles as the ‘infamous’ La Riots break out.
The film is also written and directed by Justin Chon (Twilight, 21 & Over).
Lrm had a sit-down video interview with Ben Munoz earlier this month. We discussed...
Ben Munoz (Enemy Within, A Father’s Journey) stars alongside with Justin Chon, Simone Baker and David So in this story about friendship as the La riots unfolded in Gook.
Gook follows Eli and Daniel, two Korean-American brothers that run their late father’s show 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, Kamila. As Daniel dreams of becoming a recording artist and Eli struggles to keep the story afloat, racial tensions build to a breaking point in Los Angeles as the ‘infamous’ La Riots break out.
The film is also written and directed by Justin Chon (Twilight, 21 & Over).
Lrm had a sit-down video interview with Ben Munoz earlier this month. We discussed...
- 8/18/2017
- by Gig Patta
- LRMonline.com
There’s something wondrous about being in a car wash. For a few stolen moments, real life dissolves into a cool, dark shadow world where splashes and bubbles rain down just inches away from your face but can’t touch you. Soft-tipped whirligigs gently rock your vehicle — which, finally, for a couple of seconds at least, ceases to feel like a self-imposed cage. In “Gook,” Eli (Justin Chon, who also writes and directs) and his half-sister Kamilla (Simone Baker, “American Horror Story: Roanoke”) take full advantage of their break from the pressures of everyday existence. They forget that Eli’s junker.
- 8/18/2017
- by Inkoo Kang
- The Wrap
Almost certainly the most confrontational film about the Asian-American experience since “Better Luck Tomorrow,” Justin Chon’s “Gook” is about as subtle as a trash can smashing through a pizzeria window, but this isn’t a story for subtle times. Set on April 29, 1992 — the first night of the Los Angeles Riots — it’s not a story about subtle times, either. On the contrary, this messy but lived-in drama is intended for a climate that’s tilted towards hatred and erasure, an environment in which people are forced to scream their voices hoarse just to remind the world of their basic humanity. You don’t call a movie “Gook” because you feel heard.
A frequently angry call to action that’s shot in spare black-and-white (all the better to evoke the scrappy kind of indies that were arriving on the scene back in the “Clerks” era), “Gook” hinges on two normal Korean-American guys.
A frequently angry call to action that’s shot in spare black-and-white (all the better to evoke the scrappy kind of indies that were arriving on the scene back in the “Clerks” era), “Gook” hinges on two normal Korean-American guys.
- 8/18/2017
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
Gook Director: Justin Chon Written by: Justin Chon Cast: Justin Chon, Simone Baker, David So, Curtiss Cook Jr., Sang Chon, Ben Munoz, Omono Okojie Screened at: Critics’ link, NYC, 8/8/17 Opens: August 18, 2017 The pejorative term “gook” was used daily by our servicemen during the Vietnam War. Never mind that the perceived enemy was […]
The post Gook Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Gook Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 8/16/2017
- by Harvey Karten
- ShockYa
It was such a beautiful day. In our exclusive clip from Gook, 11-year-old Kamilla (Simone Baker) helps out the brothers Eli (Justin Chon) and Daniel (David So) during a busy day at the shoe store they own. The scene has a cheerful, fun energy to it, the camera moving around in rhythm with the brothers calling out model numbers to Kamila, who then knows which shoes to grab for the neighborhood customers. The moment becomes poignant in memory later on in the day, when developments take place that will shake everyone in the store and far beyond. Here's the official synopsis: Gook takes place on April 29, 1992 -- the day the La riots started and the day the Rodney King verdicts were announced. Eli...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 7/14/2017
- Screen Anarchy
Gook Trailer and Poster Justin Chon‘s Gook (2017) movie trailer and movie poster star Ben Munoz, Simone Baker, David So, Curtiss Cook, Jr., and Sang Chon. Gook‘s plot synopsis: “Eli and Daniel are two Korean-American brothers who own a struggling shoe store in South Los Angeles and have a unique [...]
Continue reading: Gook (2017) Movie Trailer: Justin Chon’s Award-winning Film About The L.A. Riots...
Continue reading: Gook (2017) Movie Trailer: Justin Chon’s Award-winning Film About The L.A. Riots...
- 7/1/2017
- by Rollo Tomasi
- Film-Book
"Yo, what does that even mean?" Samuel Goldwyn has debuted a full-length official trailer for the film titled Gook, which is a derogatory slang word in America used to describe Asians. This is yet another excellent trailer to follow-up the first one, making me seriously interested in this. The film is directed by Korean American filmmaker/actor Justin Chon, and is about two Korean American kids living in Los Angeles in the early 1990s. It's set against the backdrop of the infamous L.A. Riots during 1992. Starring Justin Chon and David So, as well as Simone Baker, Curtiss Cook Jr., Sang Chon, Omono Okojie, Ben Munoz, Cesar Garcia, Isaiah Jarel, and Kirlew Vilbon. This first premiered at the Sundance Film Festival this year, where it won the Audience Award in the low budget Next section. This is worth a look. Watch below. Here's the full official trailer (+ poster) for Justin Chon's Gook,...
- 6/29/2017
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
"When hate divides, hope remains." Samuel Goldwyn Films has revealed the first trailer for the film titled Gook, which is a derogatory slang word in America used to describe Asians. The film is directed by Korean American filmmaker/actor Justin Chon, and is about two Korean American kids living in Los Angeles in the early 1990s. It's set against the backdrop of the infamous L.A. Riots during 1992. Starring Justin Chon and David So, as well as Simone Baker, Curtiss Cook Jr., Sang Chon, Omono Okojie, Ben Munoz, Cesar Garcia, Isaiah Jarel, and Kirlew Vilbon. This first premiered at the Sundance Film Festival this year, where it won the Audience Award in the low budget Next section. This is a very cool first trailer, I dig. Here's the first official trailer (+ poster) for Justin Chon's Gook, in high def on Apple: Eli (Chon) and Daniel (So) are two Korean...
- 4/27/2017
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Samuel Goldwyn Films announced today the acquisition of North American rights to the 2017 Sundance audience award winner “Gook,” written and directed by Justin Chon, and stars Chon, David So, Curtiss Cook Jr. and newcomer Simone Baker. “Gook” follows Eli (Chon) and… Continue Reading →...
- 4/20/2017
- by shadowandact
- ShadowAndAct
Drama set during 1992 Los Angeles Riots won this year’s Sundance Audience Award.
Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired North American rights to Gook, writer-director Justin Chon’s drama set during the 1992 Los Angeles Riots.
The company is planning an August theatrical release.
The film, which stars Chon, David So and newcomer Simone Baker, centres on two Korean American brothers that run their late father’s shoe store in a predominantly African American community of Los Angeles.
The brothers strike up a friendship with an 11-year-old African American girl. As one brother dreams of becoming a recording artist and the other struggles to keep the store afloat, racial tensions build to a breaking point as the La Riots break out.
“After we saw Gook at Sundance, we were truly impressed by the incredible vision Justin projected as well as the caliber of the actor’s performances in creating such an authentic kinship between two brothers and Kamilla (Baker...
Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired North American rights to Gook, writer-director Justin Chon’s drama set during the 1992 Los Angeles Riots.
The company is planning an August theatrical release.
The film, which stars Chon, David So and newcomer Simone Baker, centres on two Korean American brothers that run their late father’s shoe store in a predominantly African American community of Los Angeles.
The brothers strike up a friendship with an 11-year-old African American girl. As one brother dreams of becoming a recording artist and the other struggles to keep the store afloat, racial tensions build to a breaking point as the La Riots break out.
“After we saw Gook at Sundance, we were truly impressed by the incredible vision Justin projected as well as the caliber of the actor’s performances in creating such an authentic kinship between two brothers and Kamilla (Baker...
- 4/19/2017
- ScreenDaily
Samuel Goldwyn films has picked up the North American rights to the Sundance stand-out Gook.
From writer-director-star Justin Chon, Gook follows two Korean American brothers that run their late father’s shoe store in a predominantly black community in Los Angeles. While they are grappling with their own futures, racial tensions in the community surrounding their store build to a breaking point as the L.A. riots break out.
David So and newcomer Simone Baker also star in the film, shot in black and white.
The Hollywood Reporter's Sundance review reads: "Fest and art house auds should respond warmly, but a...
From writer-director-star Justin Chon, Gook follows two Korean American brothers that run their late father’s shoe store in a predominantly black community in Los Angeles. While they are grappling with their own futures, racial tensions in the community surrounding their store build to a breaking point as the L.A. riots break out.
David So and newcomer Simone Baker also star in the film, shot in black and white.
The Hollywood Reporter's Sundance review reads: "Fest and art house auds should respond warmly, but a...
- 4/19/2017
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The provocatively-titled Gook, written and directed by Justin Chon, boasts a solid, socially-minded premise: set at the beginning of the L.A. riots in the spring of 1992, two Korean-American brothers own and run a fledging shoe store while maintaining a somewhat-complicated relationship with a young African-American girl. Chon pulls triple duty, also starring as Eli, older brother to Daniel (David So). Eli constantly pushes for the shoe store to survive, a responsibility handed down to him from their father. Daniel could care less, far more concerned with recording his demo and becoming a R&B star.
Kamilla (Simone Baker) skips school to hang with Eli and Daniel and help in the store, something she keeps from her brother Keith (Curtiss Cook, Jr.), who harbors deep resentment for the brothers. Filmed in black-and-white, Chon’s Diy feature recalls the films of Sundance past. From an aesthetic and setting similar to Kevin Smith...
Kamilla (Simone Baker) skips school to hang with Eli and Daniel and help in the store, something she keeps from her brother Keith (Curtiss Cook, Jr.), who harbors deep resentment for the brothers. Filmed in black-and-white, Chon’s Diy feature recalls the films of Sundance past. From an aesthetic and setting similar to Kevin Smith...
- 2/1/2017
- by Dan Mecca
- The Film Stage
Welcome to the first, hopefully annual, Weekend Warrior Sundance Awards, where I go through the couple dozen movies I had a chance to see over the course of the past week and pick some of my favorite things.
I ended up seeing roughly thirty movies in total, only walking out of a couple (that won’t be mentioned), and overall, it was a generally decent Sundance, although only a few movies really stood out and will be remembered later in the year when we start talking about next year’s Oscars.
Oddly, I missed many of the movies that won actual awards at Sundance, so I’ve decided to give a few of my own.
Salma Hayek as Beatriz in Beatriz At Dinner
Most Literal Use of a Movie Title
1. Beatriz at Dinner (starring Salma Hayek as a Mexican healer named Beatriz who is invited to stay for dinner at...
I ended up seeing roughly thirty movies in total, only walking out of a couple (that won’t be mentioned), and overall, it was a generally decent Sundance, although only a few movies really stood out and will be remembered later in the year when we start talking about next year’s Oscars.
Oddly, I missed many of the movies that won actual awards at Sundance, so I’ve decided to give a few of my own.
Salma Hayek as Beatriz in Beatriz At Dinner
Most Literal Use of a Movie Title
1. Beatriz at Dinner (starring Salma Hayek as a Mexican healer named Beatriz who is invited to stay for dinner at...
- 1/30/2017
- by Edward Douglas
- LRMonline.com
The 2017 Sundance Film Festival is coming to a close with tonight’s awards ceremony. While we’ll have our personal favorites coming early this week, the jury and audience have responded with theirs, topped by Macon Blair‘s I don’t feel at home in this world anymore., which will arrive on Netflix in late February, and the documentary Dina. Check out the full list of winners below see our complete coverage here.
The U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Documentary was presented by Larry Wilmore to:
Dina / U.S.A. (Directors: Dan Sickles, Antonio Santini) — An eccentric suburban woman and a Walmart door-greeter navigate their evolving relationship in this unconventional love story.
The U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic was presented by Peter Dinklage to:
I don’t feel at home in this world anymore. / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Macon Blair) — When a depressed woman is burglarized, she...
The U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Documentary was presented by Larry Wilmore to:
Dina / U.S.A. (Directors: Dan Sickles, Antonio Santini) — An eccentric suburban woman and a Walmart door-greeter navigate their evolving relationship in this unconventional love story.
The U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic was presented by Peter Dinklage to:
I don’t feel at home in this world anymore. / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Macon Blair) — When a depressed woman is burglarized, she...
- 1/29/2017
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
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