Watch LA 92

On April 29, 1992, the city of Los Angeles, California, erupted in violence and chaos after the announcement of the verdict in the trial of four LAPD officers, charged with excessive force in the arrest of Rodney King. The incident, caught on videotape, had sparked national outrage and calls for police reform. The documentary film LA 92, directed by Daniel Lindsay and T.J. Martin, traces the events leading up to the riots, the riots themselves, and their aftermath, using archival footage and interviews with witnesses, journalists, activists, and public officials.

The film opens with footage of the police beating of Rodney King on March 3, 1991, and the subsequent release of the videotape, which became a viral sensation and fueled widespread anger and calls for justice. It then explores the history of police brutality and racial tensions in Los Angeles, including the Watts riots of 1965 and the 1991 shooting of Latasha Harlins by a Korean store owner.

As tensions mounted in the days leading up to the verdict, the film shows how the media hyped up the story, portraying it as a clash between black and Korean Americans. It also highlights the role of activists, such as civil rights attorney Connie Rice and black nationalist leader Khalid Abdul Muhammad, who tried to channel the anger of the community into peaceful protest and calls for systemic change.

When the verdict was announced, acquitting the officers of all charges, the film shows how the community reacted with shock, anger, and disbelief. The riots began spontaneously, with looting and arson in South Central LA spreading to other neighborhoods, including Koreatown.

The film captures the chaos and violence of the riots, with shocking footage of buildings burning, people being beaten and shot, and police officers standing by or fleeing the scene. It also shows how ordinary citizens tried to defend their homes and businesses, and how community leaders and groups tried to provide shelter, food, and medical care to those in need.

In the aftermath of the riots, the film shows how the city struggled to rebuild and heal, with calls for justice, reform, and reconciliation. It highlights the efforts of activists, like civil rights attorney Connie Rice, to push for police reform and increased investment in underserved communities, and the impact of the riots on the city's culture and politics.

LA 92 is a powerful and gripping documentary that offers a detailed and nuanced account of one of the most significant events in recent US history. It sheds light on the complex causes and consequences of the riots, highlighting the role of race, class, media, politics, and activism in shaping the course of events. It also raises important questions about justice, democracy, and power, which remain urgent and relevant today.

LA 92 is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 54 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.2 and a MetaScore of 66.