Bread and Roses

Nothing wrong with this movie that a little more exposure of Elpidia Carrillo wouldn't have fixed! The union organizer, who seemed to be hittin' on Carrillo's sister, seemed to be your typical, white, liberal, do-gooder, but got his union established, at... Full review

Yes, this film is about a "dreary" topic, labor organizing and workers struggling for a living wage. Yes, it is political in taking the point of view of the workers. Yes, the "heroes" are janitors, some of whom are "illegal"... Full review

As Sam Shapiro, a labor activist who helps Hispanic janitors in an L.A. office building to form a union, Brody's blend of earnestness and mischief really livens up this well-meaning, sometimes moving, occasionally didactic Ken Loach film. Brody's beard and... Full review

This is a really good movie. Terrific actors, gritty realism, people we care about, a story we care about, a movie with a visible social conscience, but not one that overpowers the story--what more could you ask? Pilar Padilla steals the... Full review

It's about time that we got a look into the lives of latin immigrants without the prospects of an embellished goldmine. This isn't Maid in Manhattan, so don't look for that kind of material. This story isn't about coming to the... Full review

As the daughter of hard-working Mexican immigrant parents and having been raised in one of Los Angeles' poorest barrios, I often saw the story of Rosa and Maya being played out in real life within my family and amongst my... Full review

In this movie, there are no purloined designer clothes to masquerade in, and Prince Charming doesn't come complete with a political career and a three-piece suit--he's a scruffy charmer in a baggy t-shirt with little more to offer than a... Full review

I have a deep sympathy & connection with this movie, because two of my dearest friends were Spanish-speaking cleaners in the UK (although completely legally). Now - through ridiculously hard work and frugal living - they are bilingual, educated, skilled,... Full review

Honestly, this is one of the best films I've ever seen. I've seen it because of the 'political' story, not in spite of it, as seems to be the case with some of the audience. But either way, when I... Full review

When I attended a screening a week ago sponsored by a local public supported radio station (KPFK) in Los Angeles, I was not certain if this film was a documentary or typical crafted Hollywood-style hyperbole since I listened with half... Full review

At this point in his career, the last thing his fans would expect director Ken Loach to make is a feel-good movie. Bread and Roses," a racially and politically charged drama, is no exception. ... Full Review

Set in the other Los Angeles--that of the working poor--Bread and Roses is the rare partisan, political film that doesn't proselytize. Ultimately the film is a winning romantic adventure/comedy in the tricky context of the protest film; and though sympathetic to unions, Loach doesn't let them off easy. ... Full Review

The best scene in "Bread and Roses" argues against Sam, Maya and the union. Bread and Roses" tells its story through the eyes of Maya ( Pilar Padilla ), an illegal immigrant newly arrived in Los Angeles. ... Full Review

It was an incredible role. You are consumed with the wealth in LA, the business and the success, and that's the discussion that's going on. ... Full Review

In general, though, the film is an intelligent, well-acted drama with something to say....there are several smile-inducing scenes in what may be Loach's most upbeat film to date.....British director Ken Loach has been making his brand of realistic, unashamedly leftist political movies ever since he made the ground-breaking Cathy Come Home in 1960.....she outwits her would-be rapist in one of the film's best scenes..... ... Full Review

The story was inspired by your own visits to LA. Do you feel the need to immerse yourself in these worlds? Yes, I think if you're going to try and tell a story with someone else's lives you've really got... ... Full Article

After surviving a perilous journey from Mexico to the US, Maya (Padilla) enlists the help of her hard-working sister Rosa (Carrillo) to secure a job among other immigrant cleaners with a non-union cleaning agency in a downtown office block. ... Full Article

Michael Rechtshaffen Dec 6, 2000 While "Bread and Roses" marks his first time filming on American soil, Cannes favorite Ken Loach ("My Name Is Joe," "Raining Stones") nevertheless finds himself right at home with subject matter that once again deals... ... Full Article

Chinese actress Jiang Hongbo hoping for Cannes glory The Cannes festival jury are choosing the first Golden Palm of the millennium this weekend from a field of 23 contenders. ... Full Article

Ken Loach, that champion of the British working class, turns his attention to the voiceless masses in America for the first time--with mixed results. The focus of this drama are Los Angeles immigrant janitors, namely Latina sisters Maya (Pilar Padilla)... ... Full Article

The Human Rights Watch International Film Festival was created in 1988 to advance public education on human rights issues and concerns using the medium of film. ... Full Article