Univers'l

Set against the tense backdrop of Los Angeles on April 29, 1992—the day the Rodney King verdicts are announced—"Univers'l" takes place in a chaotic Univers'l strip mall in South Central LA. The film portrays a diverse array of characters: a nervous African-American liquor store owner crushing on a Vietnamese manicurist, a wealthy Beverly Hills woman struggling with cultural divides after her Mercedes is stolen, Iranian dry cleaners dealing with a ruined dress, lost Swedish equestrians, and the absent Korean landlord named Kong. Through a hyperkinetic visual style, the movie captures the boiling tensions before the LA riots, illustrating racial, social, and cultural clashes within this microcosm of society.

Trivia:
1. The film vividly incorporates authentic news footage from the Rodney King riots to enhance its immersive atmosphere.
2. The casting brought together actors from diverse ethnic backgrounds to authentically represent the multicultural nature of the strip mall's community.
3. The director intentionally used a frenetic camera style to mirror the escalating tension and chaos brewing beneath the surface of the day's events.

Full Cast of Univers'l

Crew of Univers'l