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Gook is a 2017 American drama movie that was directed, written, edited and produced by Justin Chon, who also starred in the film. It is set during the 1992 Los Angeles riots, which took place following the acquittal of four LAPD officers in the Rodney King beating case. The story centers on two Korean-American brothers, Eli and Daniel, who run their father's shoe store in a predominantly African-American neighborhood in LA.

The film begins with a quote by James Baldwin, which sets the tone for the themes explored in the movie: "Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced." This quote is particularly relevant in the context of the events that transpired during the LA riots.

Eli and Daniel are shown to have a tense relationship with Kamilla, a young African-American girl who works at a neighboring store. Early on in the movie, it becomes clear that there is animosity between the Korean-American store owners and the African-American residents of the neighborhood. This tension is further heightened when the riots break out, and the brothers' store is vandalized by looters.

Amidst the chaos of the riots, the three main characters find themselves forced to confront their prejudices and biases towards one another. Kamilla, who was close to the Korean-American brothers, starts to feel torn between her loyalty to them and her loyalty to her peers from the African-American community. At the same time, Eli and Daniel are forced to re-evaluate their relationship with Kamilla and confront their own biases towards black people.

One of the most striking things about Gook is how it seamlessly blends humor with the more serious themes it explores. There are several moments of levity throughout the movie, which serve to humanize the characters and make their struggles feel all the more real. The performances from the three leads are also noteworthy - Simone Baker, Justin Chon, and Curtiss Cook Jr. all deliver nuanced and emotive performances that effectively convey the complexity of their characters.

In addition to its social commentary, Gook also serves as a love letter to Los Angeles - particularly the communities that are often overlooked or marginalized in mainstream media. The movie was shot entirely in black and white, which gives it a raw and impactful visual quality. It is clear that Chon put a lot of care and attention into crafting each shot and ensuring that every frame adds to the overall atmosphere of the movie.

Overall, Gook is a powerful and thought-provoking film that explores themes of prejudice, identity, and community in a way that feels both timely and timeless. Its message is one that remains relevant today, and the performances and direction make it a must-see film for anyone interested in independent cinema or social commentary.

Gook is a 2017 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 69.