"A monumental work of righteous anger." - Robert Daniels, RogerEbert.com
"A chaotic symphony of nearly two dozen characters, this black-and-white indie confection (garnished with sparing touches of color) mixes biting social critique with stylistic bravura." - Peter Debruge, Variety
It’s another day at the bustling Times Square restaurant The Grill. Line cooks and waitresses navigate the chaotic kitchen, busboys wash a never-ending collection of dirty dishes, and managers bark orders over the cacophony of simmering pots and sizzling pans. When money goes missing from the till, suspicions fall on the cook Pedro (Raúl Briones), a moody dreamer entangled in a turbulent affair with waitress Julie (Rooney Mara). With the lunch rush in full swing, accusations fly and tensions threaten to boil over, as the harsh, relentless pace of the kitchen pushes the mostly immigrant staff to their breaking point. An explosive and darkly comic commentary on the American Dream, LA COCINA is a daring masterwork that makes the kitchen in The Bear look like a piece of cake. Film Center exclusive.
Awards & Nominations
Nominee - Best Film, Berlin International Film Festival
Nominee - World Narrative Competition, Tribeca Film Festival
Nominee - Best Film, Valladolid International Film Festival
The Film Center is ADA accessible. This presentation will be projected without open captions. The theater is hearing-loop equipped. For accessibility requests, please email filmcenter@saic.edu