Human Rights Watch International Film Festival - London

Bread and Roses (Special Screening)
Ken Loach - UK - 2000 - 110m - 35mm - drama
In English and Spanish with English subtitles

British filmmaker Ken Loach offers an inspired exposé of oppression melded with a sincere snapshot of family drama and individual strength. In contemporary Los Angeles, Maya (Pilar Padilla) has just arrived from Mexico to stay with her sister. Maya secures a janitorial job at a downtown high rise and is primed for the American dream. But in this image-making capital, Maya's opportunity is someone else's opportunism. Then she meets Sam (Adrien Brody) - a young, idealistic lawyer with a passion for workers' rights who enlightens Maya and her co-workers about their exploitation. Soon, passionate discussions of unions and wages lead to violent demonstrations as Maya, Sam and a disgruntled crew of janitors put up the fight of their lives. Loach's skillful touch with dramatic realism and political commentary comes alive as the cast deliver breathtaking performances, and BREAD AND ROSES puts a distinctly human face on a profoundly serious problem. Courtesy of Film Four
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