Based on the 1957 stage play, ‘The Kitchen’ by Arnold Wesker, ‘La Cocina’ is a kitchen drama set in one of the busiest restaurant in Manhattan, New York. The film stars Raúl Briones and two-time Oscar-nominated actress Rooney Mara in its leading role.
‘La Cocina’ had its world premiere in competition at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, and is also set to screen at the 68th BFI London Film Festival.
Starring the film alongside Mara and Briones are Anna Diaz, Motell Foster, Oded Fehr, Eduardo Olmos.
Release Date
Directed by Alonso Ruizpalacios, ‘La Cocina’ opens in Angelika, NY on October 25, 2024 and in Laemmle Monica, LA on November 1, 2024 before expanding to a national release.
Synopsis
It’s the lunch rush at The Grill in Manhattan, and money has gone missing from the till. All the undocumented cooks are being investigated, and Pedro (Briones) is the prime suspect. He’s a dreamer and a troublemaker, and in love with Julia (Mara), an American waitress who cannot commit to a relationship. Rashid, The Grill´s owner, has promised to help Pedro with his papers so he can “become legal”. But a shocking revelation about Julia compels Pedro to spiral into an act that will stop the production line of one of the city’s busiest kitchens once and for all.
La Cocina is a tragic and comic tribute to the invisible people who keep our restaurants running and our stomachs full, whilst chasing a perhaps unreachable version of the American dream.
Reviews
Robert Daniels in a RogerEbert.com review praised the film, writing, “La Cocina,” Mexican writer/director Alonzo Ruizpalacios’ searing black and white slice of nightmare, is a monumental work of righteous anger.”
Katie Luxford in a Next Best Picture review gave the film a score of 9/10, writing, “Ruizpalacios’ direction transforms the intensity of this kitchen into something beautifully heartbreaking that implores audiences to examine the undermining of artistry in the modern world all for the sake of profit.”
Official Trailer
Watch the official trailer for ‘La Cocina.’