Chop Shop (USA)
Director: Ramin Bahrani
Year: 2007
Runtime: 84 minutes
Cast: Alejandro Polanco, Isamar Gonzales
Screening Times: March 4, 2008, 7:30 PM
Screens at Jackman Hall, Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas Street West
Synopsis:
Young and charming Alejandro hustles, steals and scams his way to becoming his own boss, providing us with a glimpse into the lives of children surviving the streets in the “Iron Triangle” of Queen’s in New York City. Adept at survival, he takes on the care of his teenage sister, who is in great sexual peril.
Director’s Biography:
Born and raised in America, Ramin Bahrani received his BA from Columbia University in New York City before moving to his parents’ homeland of Iran for three years where he made his student thesis film, “Strangers” (2000). Bahrani then lived in Paris before returning to the states to begin work on his first feature film, “Man Push Cart” (2005). The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival (2005) and screened at The Sundance Film Festival (2006) before being released theatrically world-wide to critical acclaim. Winning over ten international prizes, “Man Push Cart” was also nominated for three Independent Spirit Awards (2007).
Bahrani’s second feature film “Chop Shop” (2007) premiered at The Cannes Film Festival (2007) where Le Monde declared it: “The major revelation of the Director’s Fortnight.” “Chop Shop” next screened at The Toronto Film Festival (2007), and it will be released in America in early 2008. Bahrani is currently in post-production on his third feature film, “Solo.”
Interview with director Rahmin Bahrani on Cinematical.
Reviews:
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Toronto Life
Overview by Julie Giles
