Choking Man

This article is about the film Choking Man. For scientific information about choking, see Choking.

Choking Man
Choking Man Theatrical Poster
Directed by	Steve Barron
Written by	Steve Barron
Starring	Octavio Gómez Berríos Eugenia Yuan Aaron Paul Mandy Patinkin
Music by	Nico Muhly
Cinematography	Steve Barron
Editing by	Steve Barron Joshua Zeman Zachary Mortensen
Distributed by	International Film Circuit (USA) Soda Pictures (UK)
Release date(s)	USA 9th November 2007
Running time	83 min.
Country	USA
Language	English, Spanish

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

Synopsis

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 Jamaica, Queens, New York diner 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, 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 and almost literal asphyxiation newcomers to America experience as they struggle to find a place and purpose in this strange land.

Reception

Choking Man had a mixed reception by critics.

Soundtrack

The score to Choking Man was composed by Nico Muhly.^[2]

Awards

• Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You Award, 16th Annual Gotham Awards, 2006^[3]

• Best Director, Best Newcomers Octavio Gómez Berríos & Eugenia Yuan, Best Soundtrack Nico Muhly, Special Jury Award, Ibiza International Film Festival, 2007

See also

• Steve Barron

References

1. ^ "'Choking Man (2006)'". New York Times. http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/346342/Choking-Man/overview. Retrieved 2007-11-01. 
2. ^ "Nico Muhly". imdb. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1848589/. Retrieved 2007-11-01. 
3. ^ Zeitchik, Steven (2006-11-29). "'Half Nelson' tops Gotham Awards (2006)". Variety. http://www.variety.com/awardcentral_article/VR1117954782.html?nav=gotham07. Retrieved 2007-11-01. 

External links

• Official site
• MySpace profile
• Choking Man at the Internet Movie Database
• eFilmCritic.com interview with Steve Barron on "Choking Man."