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John Ridley’s Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992

The Rodney King riots didn’t start with Rodney King. This is the tagline for Director John Ridley’s new documentary, Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992.

In a reexamination of the 1992 Los Angeles rebellion, Ridley’s film cuts through the smoke to trace the roots of the uprising back a decade before the first match was lit. Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992 weaves in first-hand accounts from Los Angeles residents of all ethnic backgrounds and classes who were witness to the rising tensions and the veritable explosion of anger and fear that flowed through the streets in the aftermath of the Rodney King verdict.

Following the DGA Eastern Region Special Projects Committee’s Documentary Series screening on October 2, Ridley sat down with Director Sam Pollard (The Talk: Race in America) in the Guild's New York Theater to discuss the making of Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992. Ridley also spoke about the documentary following the DGA Special Projects Committee screening in Los Angeles on October 19 with Director Chuck Workman (Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles).

In addition to Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992, Ridley’s credits include the feature films Jimi: All Is by My Side and Cold Around the Heart; episodes of the mini-series Guerrilla; and episodes of the television series American Crime, Presence, Barbershop and Platinum. Ridley has been a DGA member since 2003.

You can listen to Ridley's Q&A by clicking the podcast episode embedded below.

Pictures

Event photos by Krista Kennell (New York) and Byron Gamarro (Los Angeles) - print courtesy of Lincoln Square Productions

Director John Ridley speaks about the making of his new documentary, Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992, following the DGA Eastern Region Special Projects Committee’s Documentary Series screening in New York.
An image from Director John Ridley’s Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992.
Director John Ridley (right) speaks about the making of his new documentary, Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992, with Director Sam Pollard (moderator) following the DGA screening in New York.
Director John Ridley (left) speaks about the making of his new documentary, Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992, with Director Chuck Workman (moderator) following the DGA screening in Los Angeles.
An image from Director John Ridley’s Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992.
DGA Eastern Region Special Projects Committee Member Gary Donatelli welcomes the audience to the New York Q&A for Director Director John Ridley’s new documentary, Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992,
An image from Director John Ridley’s Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992.
Director Sam Pollard (moderator) asks Director John Ridley a question about the making of his new documentary, Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992.
Director Chuck Workman (moderator) asks Director John Ridley a question about the making of his new documentary, Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992.
An image from Director John Ridley’s Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992.
An image from Director John Ridley’s Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992.
Directors Sam Pollard (moderator) and John Ridley pose for a photo following the New York screening of Ridley’s new documentary, Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992.
Directors John Ridley and Chuck Workman (moderator) pose for a photo following the Los Angeles screening of Ridley’s new documentary, Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992.
An image from Director John Ridley’s Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992.
Director John Ridley chats with a member of the audience following the New York screening of his new documentary, Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992.
Director John Ridley chats with a member of the audience following the Los Angeles screening of his new documentary, Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992.

Calendar

7/29/2025 - 8/4/2025

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