121. Gook; movie review

GOOK
Cert 15
95 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong language, threat

Having seen several documentaries about the 1992 Los Angeles riots, I had become aware of the uneasy relationship between the black and the South Korean community.
I have since read that one Korean died and more than $400 million worth of damage was wreaked on more than 2,000 businesses owed by ethnic Koreans.
This is the backdrop for Justin Chon's impressive Gook which was the word used by US military to describe the Vietnamese during the infamous war.
The movie is set during the south Central riots which began following the verdict in the Rodney King court case (police were acquitted despite video evidence that they had savagely beaten him).
While the black community clearly had a legitimate grievance, some of its number saw the opportunity to settle grudges and grab 'free stuff'.
Gook alights upon two bothers (Chon and David So) who have been trying to carve a legitimate living by selling discount price shoes.
The pair have a tumultuous relationship which is based on love but has a lot of sharp edges.
Meanwhile, they have a difficult connection to the black community - befriended my some but seen as enemies by others.
The former are represented by a naive young girl, Kamilla (Simone Baker), who sees their shop as a chance to earn money but also as refuge from a home where her gangster-wannabe brother (Curtiss Cook Jr) holds violent sway.
The latter is the product of the society which is impressed by loud mouths, fast fists and big guns.
This is dangerous territory for the Koreans and both brothers face street beatings so often it is almost a way of life.
Indeed, this very point is the most shocking element of Gook. The fact is that violence and hatred are as commonplace as catching a bus.
And yet, Kamilla's wide-eyedness shows that if children could be influenced before they are indoctrinated, there could be hope.
Interestingly, the movie is shown in black and white and I was left wondering whether that is because how the citizens of Los Angeles see life.
Baker, Chon, So and Cook are all excellent as their characters try to impose themselves in their own different ways.
However, I still could not help feeling that hope was losing the battle to prejudice.

Reasons to watch: A devastating take on the black versus South Korean issues in LA
Reasons to avoid: A bit of background knowledge is important

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 7.5/10

Director quote - Justin Chon: "If I’m going to talk about this event, this uprising, I felt like it would be detrimental for me to candy-coat anything. At the time, blacks and Koreans were not getting along. But nobody was getting along."

The big question - Why is race such a big issue with some people?

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