Choking Man, out now on DVD
Cert 15, 85 minutes
By Jason Ross
Jamaica in Queens felt like an apt setting for this story, according to the New York Times it is the most multi-cultural place on the planet with 140 different languages spoken. Jorge doesn’t seem to speak any one of them; his is the language of ‘shy’- Steve Barron (Director).
Choking Man is the tale of one man’s intense struggle to conquer his acute shyness.
The title in itself has a double meaning as the main character Jorge (Octavio Gomez Berrios) works tirelessly with the thankless and mind numbing task of washing piles and piles of dishes in a diner. Nearby hangs a poster featuring the Heimlich Manoeuvre in case anyone should choke in the diner.
The diner is situated in Queens, New York what has been said by the New York Times to be ‘the most multi-cultural places on the planet with 140 different languages being spoken’. Jorge doesn’t seem to speak any one of them: ‘…his is the language of shy’ – Steve Barron.
Choking Man shows the viewer how immigrants feel trying to settle in America; misplaced, silenced and boxed in.
We track the life of a man who battles to express himself a in a huge multi cultural city. We follow Jorge at home and at work and are challenged to predict how he will deal with his demons and outside influences.
What is and will there be a breaking point?
Jorge’s attention is drawn to a kind, outgoing, beautiful Chinese waitress/person called Amy (Eugenia Yuan ).
Against the odds the love struck Jorge struggles to make a bond with Amy though is not only battling his own demons but is up against a charismatic, smooth talking handsome, cocky yet slightly vulnerable workmate who is relentless in his quest for Amy’s attention.
Jorge also lives under the stifling influence and domination his repressed flat mate who marks Jorge’s every move.
Whilst the story unfolds much of the beauty and pain is just as much in what is, as what isn’t said, in observing Jorge in his repressed and painful silence.
Choking Man is a very sensitive, engaging and intelligent film which builds slowly and bubbles away as the heat rises and rises to boiling point.
Will Jorge or his work mate win Amy’s attention? Is there a brighter future? And if so, how can Jorge get there whilst every day life is a struggle?
I urge you watch this very special painful yet beautiful film. A rare commodity these days as we are swamped by mindless film, television and music.