Choking Man

Choking Man
Choking Man Theatrical Poster
Directed bySteve Barron
Written bySteve Barron
Produced bySteve Barron
Zachary Mortensen
Joshua Zeman
StarringOctavio Gómez Berríos
Eugenia Yuan
Aaron Paul
Mandy Patinkin
CinematographySteve Barron
Edited bySteve Barron
Joshua Zeman
Zachary Mortensen
Music byNico Muhly
Distributed byInternational Film Circuit (USA)
Soda Pictures (UK)
Release date
  • April 2006 (2006-04) (Tribeca Film Festival)
Running time
83 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguagesEnglish, Spanish

Choking Man[1] is a 2006 drama film, written and directed by Steve Barron. The film stars Octavio Gómez Berríos and Eugenia Yuan.

Synopsis

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Choking Man is an intense blend of psychological drama and magical realism that encapsulates the contemporary immigrant experience in America. Jorge (Octavio Gómez Berríos) is a morbidly shy Ecuadorian dishwasher toiling away in a shabby diner in Jamaica, Queens run by Rick (Mandy Patinkin). He works all day long in the shadow of the ever-present Heimlich maneuver instruction poster which hangs in the diner kitchen. From his solitary kitchen corner, Jorge gropes mutely for a bond with Amy (Eugenia Yuan), the newly hired Chinese waitress and even though she tries to reciprocate, the gulf that separates them may be too large. On the job he is continually tormented by his coworker Jerry (Aaron Paul) and at home in his Harlem boarding house, under the psychological control of his late uncle, who was truly like a father to him. His uncle was described as being the only caring person in Jorge's life. He battles his inner demons. Set in the vicinity of JFK airport, the most culturally diverse neighborhood in the world, Choking Man captures the feeling of claustrophobia some newcomers to America experience as they struggle to find a place and purpose in this strange land.

Reception

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Choking Man had a mixed reception by critics.[citation needed]

Soundtrack

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The score to Choking Man was composed by Nico Muhly.[citation needed]

Awards

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References

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  1. ^ Mark Deming (2007). "Choking Man (2006)". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2007-11-08. Retrieved 2007-11-01.
  2. ^ Zeitchik, Steven (2006-11-29). "'Half Nelson' tops Gotham Awards (2006)". Variety. Retrieved 2007-11-01.
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