The Generations series of the Berlinale had its own charm back in the 2000s, which was only reinforced by the extremely pleasant rooms of the Zoo Palast cinema. One film still stood out from the impressive program in '08: CHOP SHOP shows the unpretentious type of filmmaking being so striking for the kids & youth section in those years.
Raw and unpolished, Ramin Bahrani tells the story of the siblings Ale (Alejandro Polanco) and Isamar (Isamar Gonzales) in almost documentary images. They grow up in a harsh environment on a car dump in Queens, New York City. We accompany them in their daily struggle for a little money and food. Queens, New York, USA, freedom-loving country of winners and climbers. Filmed…