Samuel Goldwyn Films Acquires North American Rights to Justin Chon’s GOOK
A Film About Race and Family Set Against the Backdrop of the L.A. Riots
Los Angeles, CA (April 19, 2017) – Samuel Goldwyn Films announced today the acquisition of the 2017 Sundance audience award winner GOOK. The film, written and directed by Justin Chon (Twilight franchise), stars Chon, David So (YouTube’s DavidSoComedy), and newcomer Simone Baker. The company has acquired North American rights and is slated to release the film in theatres this August. The ensemble explores the dynamic relationships between family, friends and how a kinship between friends can have as strong a bond as your own blood.
Eli (Chon) and Daniel (So) are two Korean American brothers that run their late father’s shoe store in a predominantly African American community of Los Angeles. These two brothers strike up a unique and unlikely friendship with an 11-year-old African American girl, Kamilla (Baker). As Daniel dreams of becoming a recording artist and Eli struggles to keep the store afloat, racial tensions build to a breaking point in L.A. as the “infamous” L.A. Riots break out.
“After we saw GOOK at Sundance, we were truly impressed by the incredible vision Justin projected as well as the caliber of the actor’s performances in creating such an authentic kinship between two brothers and Kamilla (Baker),” says Peter Goldwyn, President of Samuel Goldwyn Films. “The core ethos of our company is to offer original voices and uniquely told stories the opportunity to reach a broad audience and we could not be more proud to bring such a relevant film from an emerging filmmaker into the marketplace.”
“I am excited beyond words to have a partner like Samuel Goldwyn Films for our film GOOK. Their track record is undeniable and have proven through the years to have outstanding taste. I am sure that together we will execute an impactful release for the film,” says director Justin Chon.
GOOK is directed, written, and executive produced by Justin Chon. The film is produced by James J. Yi and Alex Chi, Executive Produced by Jin Lee, Eugene Lee, Pierre Delachaux, Sam Chi, Maurice Chen, Ian Choe, David Joe Kim, Gigi Tsui Kim, Raymond Kou, Nathan Kwong, Kirstin Bianchi, Jason Kim, James Sereno, Edwin Oh, John Nahm, Dennis Kwon, Naja Pham Lockwood, Jason Morales, Alan Pao, Brian Shin, Blaine Vess, Alex Bowles, Rich Young Jr., and Datari Turner.
The deal was negotiated by Peter Goldwyn of Samuel Goldwyn Films and Dana O’Keefe of Cinetic, on behalf of the filmmakers.
Eli (Justin Chon) defends his family shoe store in LA on April 29, 1992 together with 11 year-old neighbor girl Kamilla (Simone Baker) in a scene from the film GOOK – directed and written by Justin Chon. Photo courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films
ABOUT SAMUEL GOLDWYN FILMS
Samuel Goldwyn Films is a major, independently owned and operated motion-picture company that develops, produces and distributes innovative feature films and documentaries.
The company is dedicated to working with both world-renowned and emerging writers/filmmakers and committed to filmed entertainment that offers original voices in uniquely told stories. This is best exemplified by the Academy Award® nominated THE SQUID AND THE WHALE, SUPER SIZE ME, AMAZING GRACE and Julie Delpy’s hit comedy 2 DAYS IN PARIS. Past Goldwyn titles include: HARRY BROWN starring Michael Caine, the box office smash FIREPROOF and the 2010 independent hit MAO’S LAST DANCER. Samuel Goldwyn Films also released THE WHISTLEBLOWER, a powerful, ripped-from-the-headlines thriller starring Academy Award® winner Rachel Weisz, and the 2012 critics’ darling ROBOT & FRANK, starring Academy Award® nominee Frank Langella and Academy Award® winner Susan Sarandon.
Additional Samuel Goldwyn Films releases include: Gilles Bourdos’ RENOIR, the lush film about the famous painter’s later years and France’s official submission for the 2014 Academy Awards®; Jason Wise’s films SOMM & SOMM: Into the Bottle; 2015 Academy Foreign Language Film Award® nominee TANGERINES; the Sundance cult-hit LILA AND EVE starring Academy Award® winner Viola Davis and Jennifer Lopez; and Morgan Matthews compelling drama A BRILLIANT YOUNG MIND. Current Samuel Goldwyn Films releases include: festival favorite CHICKEN PEOPLE, directed by Nicole Lucas Haimes about three show chicken competitors; TRANSPECOS, the directorial debut and 2016 SXSW Audience Award Winner by Greg Kwedar; Ian Old’s award-winning BURN COUNTRY with Academy Award® winner Melissa Leo, James Franco and breakout lead Dominic Rains; Carles Torrens’ physiological thriller PET starring Dominic Monaghan; YOUTH IN OREGON, the dramatic comedy of a 3,000 mile journey about life with Academy Award® nominated Frank Langella, Billy Crudup, Christina Applegate, Mary Kay Place, and Josh Lucas; and the contemporary fairy tale THIS BEAUTIFUL FANTASTIC starring Jessica Brown Findlay, Academy Award® nominated Tom Wilkinson, Andrew Scott, and Jeremy Irvine. Upcoming films include Avi Nesher’s Israeli box office hit PAST LIFE; the family film A COWGIRL’S STORY starring Bailee Madison and Pat Boone; and Daniel Y-Li Grove’s neon-noir gangster film THE PERSIAN CONNECTION.
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