La cocina

One of the most unforgettable cinematic experiences of the year—maybe even the past five years. This is the kind of film that sticks with you for life. It has the constraints of theater, the freedom of film, meticulous choreography, and a rhythm and structure of a symphony, mirroring the charged dynamics of a tightly knit yet diverse team of anxious employees in a bustling kitchen during the lunch rush. The camera work is immersive, the social critique nuanced (late capitalism and immigration), and the characters vividly unique, each with entangled or isolated stories. There are shattered dreams, an exquisite mindfuck (Abe), humor, raw grit, poetry in the everyday, and the fine line between resolve and collapse—all culminating in that moment when someone finally snaps. In every part of it, there’s a painful, beautiful glimpse of life. (09.10.2024)