An emotionally scarred London chef struggles to keep it together in this heated single-take thriller, set in and around a restaurant during a single evening.
Starring the electrifying Stephen Graham (The Irishman, Boardwalk Empire) as emotionally damaged and drug addicted chef Andy, we follow the action across one crazily busy night in his top London restaurant.
When Andy shows up ominously late for work due to personal reasons, it is only the beginning of a nightmarish evening alongside sous-chef Carly (Vinette Robinson, Sherlock) and commis chef Freeman (Ray Panthaki, BFF18 Colette, Marcella). Over the course of the night, Andy must deal with acrimonious staff, difficult customers, an old adversary and the pressures of keeping a frenetic kitchen and busy restaurant floor going.
Expanding upon the characters seen in his 2019 award-winning short, actor-turned-director Philip Barantini follows the dizzying continuous action in the kitchens and the dining room as the pressure begins to take its toll on everyone.
A smart character study and vivid window into a highly pressurised working world, the excellent ensemble cast and Graham’s terrific central performance create a breathlessly kinetic and ultimately moving film.
Wednesday 3rd November
95 min
MA15+
Film Festival
