Gook (2017)
90%RT Audience Score: 83%
Awards & Nominations: 5 wins & 12 nominations
From its confrontational title to its striking cinematography, this raw cinematic gem uncompromisingly proves writer/director/actor Justin Chon is a filmmaker to watch.
Gook is a movie that’s both witty and devastating, with a punchy, freewheeling style that’s reminiscent of Spike Lee. The film’s black-and-white cinematography adds to its gritty, urban feel, while the rooftop conversations and dance sequence in a parking lot give it a unique tone. Despite its underlying harshness, Gook manages to balance light and playful moments with its everyday racism, making it a touching and thoughtful film that’s definitely worth watching. Plus, it’s got a killer soundtrack that’ll have you grooving in your seat.
Production Company(ies)
ITVS International, Kartemquin Films, P.O.V., American Documentary
Distributor
Samuel Goldwyn Films
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Los Angeles, California, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Unrated
Year of Release
2018
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Color:Color
Black and White -
Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
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Runtime:1h 35m
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Language(s):English, Korean
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Aug 18, 2017 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 5, 2017
Genre(s)
Comedy/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Justin Chon, Simone Baker, Curtiss Cook Jr., David So, Chris Jai Alex, Isaiah Jarel, directed by Justin Chon, written by Justin Chon, Comedy, Drama, $222.2K box office, reviewed by Simran Hans, Ed Potton, Naomi Wong, Peter Bradshaw, Sara Michelle Fetters, Marjorie Baumgarten, Phil Guie, Naila Scargill, Filipe Freitas, Chauncey K Robinson, Morgan Rojas, Rich Cline, 94% Tomatometer, 83% Audience Score, Alex Chi produced, Samuel Goldwyn Films distributed, MPAA rating not mentioned, 1992 L.A riots, Korean American brothers, women’s shoe store, unlikely friendship, 11-year-old Kamilla, defend the store, family, personal dreams, future, cinematography, filmmaker to watch, raw cinematic gem, confrontational title, black-and-white, Spike Lee’s style, racial discussions, multidimensionality, expressive imagery, lyrical music score, everyday racism, touching, thoughtful, emotional undercurrent, tiny details, relevant, ambitious project
Worldwide gross: $251,541
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $296,007
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,855
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 32,280
US/Canada gross: $250,130
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $294,346
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,464
US/Canada opening weekend: $27,044
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $31,825
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,352
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Simone Baker – Kamilla
Curtiss Cook Jr. – Keith
David So – Daniel
Chris Jai Alex – Ray
Isaiah Jarel – Curtis
Director(s)
Justin Chon
Writer(s)
Justin Chon
Producer(s)
Alex Chi
Film Festivals
Sundance
Awards & Nominations
5 wins & 12 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (54) | Top Critics (24) | Fresh (51) | Rotten (3)
In rooftop conversations, an impressionistic dance sequence that takes place in a parking lot and a devastating conclusion that teeters on the edge of melodrama, Chon finds a tone all of his own.
March 18, 2018 | Rating: 4/5
Simran Hans
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
It’s witty, stylish and ultimately devastating.
March 16, 2018 | Rating: 4/5
Ed Potton
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
A progressive, refreshing take on the unseen stories of the LA riots.
March 16, 2018 | Rating: 4/5
Naomi Wong
Little White Lies
TOP CRITIC
A punchy, freewheeling movie set around the LA riots, shot in black-and-white, with something of Spike Lee’s style.
March 15, 2018 | Rating: 4/5
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
The racial discussions happening throughout are far from simplistic or rudimentary, this fearless multidimensionality giving Chon’s script an impressive edge that’s invigorating.
October 2, 2017 | Rating: 3/4
Sara Michelle Fetters
MovieFreak.com
TOP CRITIC
[John] Chon shows a definite talent for drawing out strong performances from his actors, as well as marshaling expressive imagery that’s enhanced by Roger Suen’s lyrical music score.
September 28, 2017 | Rating: 3.5/5
Marjorie Baumgarten
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
Anyone paying attention to the news knows we still have much work to do before we can all truly get along, and that makes Gook essential viewing.
March 21, 2019 | Rating: 5/5
Phil Guie
Film-Forward.com
Despite an underlying harshness, the film is often light, its playful moments easing the strain of its everyday racism.
February 28, 2019
Naila Scargill
Trebuchet
Fabricated with both feel-good and unsettling moments.
February 1, 2019 | Rating: 3.5/5
Filipe Freitas
Always Good Movies
It was an ambitious project to take on so many complicated themes, and the end result is a good film that is touching and thoughtful.
October 11, 2018
Chauncey K. Robinson
People’s World
The timing of Gook… seems very relevant, and I urge everyone to see it.
August 6, 2018
Morgan Rojas
Cinemacy
There’s a remarkably emotional undercurrent through every scene, with tiny details that take the breath away.
June 1, 2018 | Rating: 4/5
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall…
Plot
Eli and Daniel, two Korean American brothers, own a struggling shoe store and have an unlikely friendship with Kamilla, a street wise 11-year-old African American girl. Kamilla ditches school, Eli stresses about the store, and Daniel tries to have a good time. It’s just another typical day at the store until the Rodney King verdict is read and riots break out. With the chaos moving towards them, the trio is forced to defend the store while contemplating the future of their own personal dreams and the true meaning of family.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Actor Justin Chon not only directed and wrote the film, but also starred in it as one of the main characters, Eli.
Justin-Chon.jpg
