The Hand That Feeds (2014)

Shy sandwich-maker Mahoma López unites his undocumented immigrant coworkers to fight abusive conditions at a popular New York restaurant chain.

Directors:

Robin Blotnick, Rachel Lears

Writers:

Robin Blotnick, Rachel Lears

Stars:

Virgilio Arán, Benjamin Dictor, Diego Ibañez

3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Virgilio Arán	...	Himself
Benjamin Dictor	...	Himself
Diego Ibañez	...	Himself
Gonzalo Jiménez	...	Himself
Elizabeth López	...	Herself
Mahoma López	...	Himself
Margarito López	...	Himself
Nastaran Mohit	...	Herself
Diana Ortiz	...	Herself
Rosanna Rodriguez	...	Herself
Felicito Tapia	...	Himself

Storyline

At a popular bakery café, residents of New York's Upper East Side get bagels and coffee served with a smile 24 hours a day. But behind the scenes, undocumented immigrant workers face sub-legal wages, dangerous machinery, and abusive managers who will fire them for calling in sick. Mild-mannered sandwich maker Mahoma López has never been interested in politics, but in January 2012, he convinces a small group of his co-workers to fight back. Risking deportation and the loss of their livelihood, the workers team up with a diverse crew of innovative young organizers and take the unusual step of forming their own independent union, launching themselves on a journey that will test the limits of their resolve. In one roller-coaster year, they must overcome a shocking betrayal and a two-month lockout. Lawyers will battle in court, Occupy Wall Street protesters will take over the restaurant, and a picket line will divide the neighborhood. If they can win a contract, it will set a historic ...

---

Plot Keywords:

union | undocumented worker | new york city | undocumented immigration | empowerment | 

---

Genres:

Documentary | Drama | News | Thriller

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Jubilee Films [United States] Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

April 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

Για μια καλύτερη ζωή

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$370,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Jubilee Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

User Reviews

Great Documentary!!

Hurrah! I got your movie today & just finished watching it. I was crying & I never cry. I wanted so much for them to win their jobs back! & to end with all the fast food places organizing for better wages too--that was genius! All I could think of was that Cesar Chavez would have been so proud of the workers fighting against impossible odds like that. I plan to show "Cesar Chavez" after The Hand at our film festival.

Thanx again for a Great documentary!

Towards an Equal & Just Society!

Diane Keefauver