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A dad’s loss and a son’s vision – our LA riots film

Filmmaker Justin Chon wanted to tell his Korean family’s story of tragedy and racism during the 1992 LA riots – but could he convince his dad, a former actor, to take part?

When filmmaker Justin Chon was a boy, he witnessed growing racial tension in Los Angeles. In 1992, the city erupted into riots after the acquittal of the policemen who brutally beat the Black motorist, Rodney King. The unrest destroyed Justin’s beloved Koreatown, and left painful consequences for his family. Years later, Justin decided to tell the lesser-known Korean-American story of racism and the riots. But could he convince his dad, a former actor, to take part?

Presenter: Mobeen Azhar
Producer: Lina Chang and Maryam Maruf

The news archive was from ABC7, CBS, KTLA, NBCLA, NBC, MBC, and SRS Cinema.

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com

(Photo: Justin Chon with his father, Sang Chon. Credit: Courtesy of Justin Chon)

Available now

41 minutes

Broadcasts

  • Mon 8 May 2023 11:06GMT
  • Mon 8 May 2023 17:06GMT
  • Mon 8 May 2023 21:06GMT
  • Tue 9 May 2023 02:06GMT

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