'LA 92' movie looks at modern day riots

Using only archival material drawn from more than 1,000 hours of powerful footage, 'LA 92' reconstructs the tumultuous days that changed America 

'LA 92' premieres at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 21, followed by a multicity tour, theatrical release in New York and Los Angeles and broadcast debut on National Geographic 

Produced by two-time Academy Award® winner Simon Chinn and Emmy® award winner Jonathan Chinn, with original music by acclaimed composers Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans

(WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 5, 2017) - Ferguson. Baltimore. Sanford. The Los Angeles riots may have taken place a quarter century ago but the nation continues to find itself in a cycle of heated discussion over racial oppression, police brutality and socioeconomic inequality. 

Now, after 25 years, National Geographic Documentary Films presents LA 92, a riveting look back at the controversial Rodney King trial and subsequent protests, violence and looting of the city. Viewed from a multitude of vantage points through visceral and rarely seen archival footage, the film brings a fresh perspective to a pivotal moment that reverberates to this day. Produced by Lightbox's two-time Academy Award winner Simon Chinn ("Man on Wire") and Emmy winner Jonathan Chinn ("American High") with Academy Award-winning directors Dan Lindsay and TJ Martin ("Undefeated"), and featuring original music from Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans ("OA," "Enemy"), LA 92 premieres at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival on Friday, April 21. 

"Race relations is America's Achilles' heel," said Lightbox producers Jonathan Chinn and Simon Chinn. "The production of this film might mark the 25th anniversary of this seminal uprising, but these kinds of events still recur, and we are still dealing with their root causes. Our goal with LA 92 is to reframe the story of this tragedy for a modern audience, and we hope it will encourage reflection and debate as we wrestle with these very real conflicts that continue to plague America's cities."

Following the premiere at Tribeca, the film will complete a multicity screening tour including Baltimore; Charlotte; St. Louis; Washington, D.C.; and Atlanta.  Additionally, a limited theatrical release in New York and Los Angeles begins Friday, April 28, and LA 92 makes its television broadcast debut on National Geographic on Sunday, April 30, at 9/8c and will also air globally in 171 countries and 45 languages. Furthering the national conversation, National Geographic has also partnered with Picture Motion to provide free screenings of the film to colleges and universities nationwide and has developed a robust free discussion guide to accompany the film.