Center for Asian American Media

April 29 marks the 15th anniversary of a tragic day in American history. Violence, arson and looting erupted in South Central Los Angeles, sparked by the acquittal of the four policemen who had beaten an African American, Rodney King. During the tragic days of the riot in 1992, Korean Americans suffered about half of the $850 million in property damage, not to mention the emotional and psychological pain. In the days and weeks that followed, media coverage of the upheaval was extensive but rarely presented a fair and in-depth portrayal of the victims. They made the Black/Korean conflict the cause of the crisis, not a symptom.

Sa-I-Gu, literally April 29, presents this Los Angeles crisis from the perspectives of Korean women shopkeepers and offers an alternative to mainstream media’s inability or refusal to present the voices of victims in human terms but make them issues and numbers. Sa-I-Gu provides a perspective that is essential to discussions on the Los Angeles unrest that brought numerous social issues to the forefront — racism, class divisions, crime, violence, poverty, the urban underclass and political, economic and cultural empowerment.

“Four stars! Highly recommended.”

- Video Rating Guide for Libraries

“A Powerful New Film!”

- Los Angeles Times

Awards
Bronze Plaque, Columbus International Film & Video Festival
Bronze Award, Houston International Film Festival
Rosebud Award, Washington, D.C.

Recognition
National PBS Broadcast, POV

Related Films
Wet Sand: Voices from L.A.

College/Institution

K-12/Public Library/Community Group