Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story 2022
Distributed by Good Docs
Produced by Linda Lew Woo
Directed by Jennifer Takaki
Streaming, 87 mins
High School - General Adult
Asian American History; Documentary; Photography
Date Entered: 09/17/2024
Reviewed by Danielle Hassan, Assistant Professor, Systems Librarian, The University of Alabama at BirminghamPhotographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story is a documentary that explores the work of Corky Lee, an American-born Chinese photographer who masterfully integrates art and politics through his documentation of social movements involving Asian Americans, particularly in New York City.
The documentary effectively underscores significant Asian cultural events and illustrates the rich diversity of content within the city. Over several decades, Lee’s work has contributed to the preservation and dissemination of Asian American heritage, providing valuable cultural insights and, in some instances, directly benefiting communities, such as through employment opportunities at Confucius Plaza.
From a cinematographic perspective, the film employs a mix of still photographs, animation, and interviews. While the use of slides and animations adds depth, occasional instability in the camera work may be distracting for some viewers. However, the audio quality remains consistently high, with skillful integration of musical transitions that enhance the overall viewing experience. Given the extensive scope of Lee’s work, encompassing over 800,000 photographs, the film might have gained from a more focused approach, delving deeper into selected topics rather than presenting a broad overview.
In conclusion, Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story offers a valuable historical perspective on Asian American culture in New York City. It highlights Corky Lee’s significant contributions to preserving this history and his role in using photography as a tool for social change. While the documentary is recommended, it is advised with some reservations, particularly regarding its broad scope and occasional technical issues.
Awards: Best Documentary, Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival; Jason D. Mak Social Justice Award, DisOrient Film Festival
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