Center for Asian American Media

Filmmaker Dai Sil Kim-Gibson explores the aftermath of the 1992 LA Civil Unrest in her film WET SAND. Her groundbreaking 1993 documentary SA-I-GU stands as one of the crucial texts to offer a Korean American perspective on the events surrounding the Los Angeles riots – an invaluable discussion tool for promoting better understanding of the socio-political factors that played into one of the grimmest moments in United States race relations. With WET SAND, Kim-Gibson revisits Los Angeles to learn what changes have occurred since then, only to discover that living conditions have deteriorated and that few remedies have been administered to the communities most stricken. Through interviews with a multi-ethnic set of first-hand witnesses, this essential follow-up probes deeper into the racial and economic issues that not only shaped the climate of 1992 Los Angeles, but continue to affect all Americans today.

“The best film by far I’ve ever seen about the 1992 riots. It was emotional, analytical, provocative, educational and balanced. WET SAND does what no other film has done – to see the tragedy of the riots from the different perspectives of the various communities in South Los Angeles. I was moved to tears. Everyone should see this film.”

- Lou Cannon, author, Official Negligence

“...the film really captured honest statements (extremely rare) and the reality of what it is like – no sugarcoating. It elicits a range of emotions and I believe would foster a lot of discussion afterward.”

- Tamara E. Robinson, WNET, New York

"It is incredibly good, the best film by far I've ever seen about the 1992 riots. It was emotional, analytical, provocative, educational, and balanced. [Dai Sil Kim-Gibson] did what no one else has done, which is to see the tragedy of the riots from the different perspectives of the various communities in South Los Angeles...Everyone should see it."

- Lou Cannon, journalist, non-fiction author and biographer

Recognition
San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival
Southern California Premiere Screening, Visual Communications
and the Pan African Film Festival
Boston Premiere, Hosted by the Asian American Policy Review
National Public Television Broadcast

Additional Resources
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College/Institution

K-12/Public Library/Community Group