The Kitchen Story:-Â
In actor Daniel Kaluuya’s directorial debut, “The Kitchen,” the essence of love amidst profound disparity permeates the narrative. It elegantly intertwines affection into a dystopian landscape, evident in the melancholy glimpsed in sad eyes, the weighty pauses in conversation, and the subtle social commentary. While the film may not feature overt acts of love like kisses or hugs, it nevertheless evokes powerful emotions.
Movie Ratings
| Release Date | 12 January 2024 |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi |
| Duration | 1h 47min |
| Cast | Kano, Kano, Jedaiah Bannerman, Hope Ikpoku Jr, Teija Kabs, Demmy Ladipo, Cristale, Pa SalieuBackRoad Gee, Dani Moseley, Harvey Quinn, Henry Lawfull, Lola-Rose Maxwell, Richie Lawrie, Alan Asaad, Fiona Marr, Rasaq Kukoyimore… |
| Director | Kibwe Tavares, Daniel Kaluuya |
| Writer | Daniel Kaluuya, Joe Murtagh |
| Cinematography | Wyatt Garfield |
| Music | Labrinth Alex Baranowski |
| Producer | Michael Fassbender, David Kimbangi, Ollie Madden, Conor McCaughan, Daniel Emmerson, Daniel Kaluuya |
| Production | 59% Productions, DMC Film, Factory Fifteen, Film4 Productions |
| Certificate | 16+ |
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From its opening moments, the film captivates its audience. Set in a residential colony bearing the same name, “The Kitchen” portrays a world where people reside in cell-like structures surveilled by drones, belonging to the lowest social stratum. The distinct apartment buildings and vibrant neon lights create an atmosphere reminiscent of a third-world East Asian neighborhood.
The colony features a community radio service serving as a narrator of sorts, sparing the main characters the burden of world-building or explaining the universe’s intricacies. Instead, they navigate their environment, propelling the plot forward without being encumbered by exposition.
At the core of “The Kitchen” is Izi, portrayed brilliantly by Kane Robinson. A loner with melancholic eyes yearning for purpose, Izi works at a funeral home that crafts memorial plants after cremation. Just when he appears adrift, he forms a profound bond with Benji, portrayed wonderfully by Jedaiah Bannerman, fostering a beautiful connection between two broken souls.
While the film delves into social commentary, it refrains from overtly diluting its premise, allowing the story to unfold organically. This authenticity is perhaps the film’s greatest strength.
In a poignant final scene, Benji questions whether Izi is his father, their gaze fixed on the crowd confronting police officials down the street. As the camera pans back, revealing them from behind, and Izi places his hands on Benji’s shoulders, the desire for an embrace and shared tears is palpable. Yet, the film reminds us that affection transcends mere physical gestures. Though set in a dystopian world, the presence of such affection underscores the notion that utopia is not beyond reach.
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