CHOP SHOP
SYNOPSIS
Ramin Bahrani's Chop Shop is set in a bleak junkyard corner of Queens, where "auto-body
repair" is indistinguishable from auto-part theft. The movie is a gentle drama of getting by in a harsh city jungle told by a 12-year-old Latino
orphan (Alejandro Polanco) who already knows something about the working world, and his older sister (Isamar Gonzales), who doesn't yet. In this
chaotic world of adults, young Alejandro struggles to make a better life for himself and his 16-year-old sister, Isamar. Directed and written by
Ramin Bahrani.
THE DIRECTOR
Ramin Bahrani
(Writer/Director/Producer)
Born and raised in America, Ramin Bahrani received his B.A. from Columbia University in New York City before moving to his parents' homeland of Iran for three years, where he made his student thesis film, Strangers (2000). His first feature film, Man Push Cart, premiered at The Venice Film Festival in 2005 and was an official selection of The Sundance Film Festival in 2006. The film won over 10 international prizes, was released in theaters around the world, and was nominated for three Independent Spirit Awards including Best First Feature. His second film, Chop Shop, premiered to standing ovations at the 2007 Director's Fortnight of The Cannes International Film Festival. In 2008 Bahrani was awarded the prestigious "Someone to Watch" Independent Spirit Award. Goodbye Solo is his third feature film.
(Writer/Director/Producer)
Born and raised in America, Ramin Bahrani received his B.A. from Columbia University in New York City before moving to his parents' homeland of Iran for three years, where he made his student thesis film, Strangers (2000). His first feature film, Man Push Cart, premiered at The Venice Film Festival in 2005 and was an official selection of The Sundance Film Festival in 2006. The film won over 10 international prizes, was released in theaters around the world, and was nominated for three Independent Spirit Awards including Best First Feature. His second film, Chop Shop, premiered to standing ovations at the 2007 Director's Fortnight of The Cannes International Film Festival. In 2008 Bahrani was awarded the prestigious "Someone to Watch" Independent Spirit Award. Goodbye Solo is his third feature film.