A day in the life of an illegal immigrant in the Big Apple. Undocumented because those without breaks have to make their own way in this world. Nonetheless, Ding Ling (Charles Young) pushes onward, working day and night to keep the dream alive. As an aside, I hope anyone who sees this film realizes that Ding Ming and the millions like him are going to save America. We will fight them, discriminate against them and we will scorn them. They will fight back, and they will endure. Just like our ancestors did when they arrived in this country.
Ding's day begins with a rude wake-up call. It is courtesy of the loan sharks who smuggled him in and demand a hefty payment by the end of the day. Ming's co-workers, customers and ultimately the clock bear witness to his resolve to persevere. Will it be enough? In the world of realistic film making, the answers are never quite so neatly packaged as in traditional fare. But like most things, can be found if you look in the right place.
Jeng-Hua Yu, Wang-Thye Lee and Justin Wan are excellent in support of Mr. Young. Ms. Lee runs a taut take out shop as the lively 'Big Sis'. Wan and Yu are the co-worker's who sleep wok through the film. Wan in particular is great as 'Young' the wise owl friend who tries to help Ding master New York City. The film was written and directed by Sean Baker and Shih-Ching Tsou. I respect their efforts to ensure the film stayed clean of cliche and comfort. It felt real, grimy and authentic. And I might add it was a welcome relief from the focus group formula factory that is Hollywood.
Take Out is filmed in a style referred to as 'Cinéma vérité' (real cinema). This style strives to make the viewer a 'fly on the wall', and as unobtrusive to the process as such. Although technology is celebrated in film making as a 'green screen' CGI wonder, it will also take Cinéma vérité to it's logical state of unobstructed realism. I believe more movies will be employing this style. And without the obstacles that cameras and sound crews present, will be extremely interesting to see where the creators will take them.
2004, Bly-Ray, 87 min, color, English and Chinese w/English or Chinese subtitles. Extras include: Commentary with Directors Sean Baker and Shih-Ching Tsou and Actor Charles Jang, Cast and Crew Interviews, Deleted Scenes, et al.
