Fruits of Labor Review: A Mexican American Family s Struggles in Central California Fruits of Labor Review: A Mexican American Family s Struggles in Central California
Emily Cohen Ibanez s documentary is an intriguing look at the heavily responsibilities borne by an undocumented immigrant s teen daughter.
Dennis Harvey, provided by
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Running time: Running time: 77 MIN.
Gabriella Garcia-Pardo
Those who complain “immigrants are stealing our jobs” hardly seem likely applicants for the jobs held by protagonists in “Fruits of Labor” such as cleaning other people’s houses or working the graveyard shift in a food processing plant. Constant hard work doesn’t seem to bring the American Dream much closer for this Mexican American family on California’s central coast. Emily Cohen Ibanez’s debut feature provides a flavorful glimpse at lives seldom represented in popular media, though she also obfuscates that view somewhat with fussily artistic fil
SUNDANCE AWARD-WINNING FILM FROM DIRECTOR PETER NICKS, PRODUCER SEAN HAVEY AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER RYAN COOGLER
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE Hulu
· Hulu has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to Emmy Award-winning director/cinematographer Peter Nicks 2021 Sundance Film Festival official selection HOMEROOM.
· HOMEROOM is Peter Nicks final chapter in a trilogy of films examining the relationship between health care, criminal justice, and education in Oakland, CA over the past decade. Hulu is thrilled to also have the U.S. streaming rights to THE WAITING ROOM (2012) and THE FORCE (2017) so audiences can experience all three projects of this groundbreaking trilogy together.
· Synopsis: Oakland High School s class of 2020 confronts an unprecedented year. Anxiety over test scores and college applications gives way to uncertainty springing from a rapidly developing pandemic. Efforts to eliminate the school district s police force unfold against the backdrop of growing nationwi
click to enlarge Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Jack Mitchell
This year the 2021 Sundance Film Festival was virtual, and its offerings trimmed down from previous years. It included 73 feature films, 50 short films, four Indie Series, 23 talks and events, and 14 New Frontier multimedia projects. We watched 38 of the 73 films, including most of the award winners. Here are some sneak peaks of our favorites to look for in the year to come.
A
iley
Some things are excruciatingly difficult to articulate in words, and can only be expressed in an abstract manner such as dance. Things such as the lonely success of Alvin Ailey, a gay man born in the depression in 1931 who, against all odds, was able to realize his dream. Choreographer, former Ailey company member, and friend George Faison reflects on their groundbreaking w
Homeroom Review: Doc Embeds Itself in Bay Area High School During Exceptional Year Homeroom Review: Doc Embeds Itself in Bay Area High School During Exceptional Year
Peter Nicks doc schools audiences on the vision and vitality of its young protagonists, seniors at Oakland High School during a turbulent year.
Lisa Kennedy, provided by
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“Homeroom” begins with a somewhat inchoate energy. In this regard, Peter Nicks’ engaging documentary about Oakland High School’s senior class of 2020 aptly mimics the start of a school year. Students haven’t yet found their rhythms. Everything feels a little amped. The kids seem to rush around reestablishing old bonds, forging new ones and, for the seniors on whom the film turns its gaze, facing more fully what’s to come.
The full list of awards:
U.S. Grand Jury Prize – Dramatic: “CODA,” Sian Heder
U.S. Grand Jury Prize – Documentary: “Summer of Soul,” Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson
Directing Award – U.S. Dramatic: Sian Heder, “CODA”
Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award: Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch,
“On the Count of Three”
Directing Award – U.S. Documentary: “Users,” Natalia Almada
Jonathan Oppenheim Editing Award – U.S. Documentary: Kristina Motwani and Rebecca Adorno, “Homeroom”
U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Best Ensemble: the cast of “CODA”
U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award, Best Actor: Clifton Collins Jr., “Jockey”
U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Nonfiction Experimentation: Theo Anthony, “All Light, Everywhere”