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RUNTIME
Did you know
88 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
MoodPlayr · trivia#01
The Hand That Feeds
"Sometimes you have to make your own justice."
2014 1h 28m EN
💀
4.7
SKIP
★4.7TMDB · 8
Documentary
Synopsis
Spoiler shield
Behind the scenes of a popular deli on New York's Upper East Side, undocumented immigrant workers face sublegal wages, dangerous machinery, and abusive managers. Mild-mannered sandwich maker Mahoma López has never been interested in politics, but in Jan. 2012, he convinces a small group of his co-workers to fight back. Risking deportation and the loss of livelihood, the workers team up with a diverse crew of innovative young organizers and take the unusual step of forming an independent union, launching themselves on a journey that will test the limits of their resolve. In one rollercoaster year, they must overcome a shocking betrayal and a two month lockout. Lawyers will battle in backroom negotiations, 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 precedent for low-wage workers across the country. But whatever happens, Mahoma and his compañeros won't be exploited again.
“Sometimes you have to make your own justice.”
Credits
Behind the camera
- Director
- Robin Blotnick
- Countries
- United States of America
Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.
Did you know?
Fun facts 🍿
Cinephile deep dive
The take
Robin Blotnick directs. Rachel Lears behind the camera. Ryan Blotnick scores. Robin Blotnick cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United States of America.
Trivia
Things worth knowing
- 188 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
- 2Released 12 years ago.
- 3Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
- 4Directed by Robin Blotnick, shot by Rachel Lears. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
- 5Original score by Ryan Blotnick. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
- 6Editor Robin Blotnick shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
- 7Marketing tagline: "Sometimes you have to make your own justice.".
- 8IMDB entry: tt2812712 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
- 9Only 8 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.
The technical file
- Cinematography
- Rachel Lears
- Original score
- Ryan Blotnick
- Editing
- Robin Blotnick
- Runtime
- 88 min · 1h 28m
- Status
- Released
- Original language
- EN
Production companies
Who made it
Doc Society
GB
Key crew
- EditorRobin Blotnick
- Associate ProducerDavid Borenstein
- Executive ProducerAlex Rivera
- Co-ProducerPatricia Benabe
Themes & keywords
What it's about, really
- immigration
- labor
- woman director
Release history · US
When it landed
- Theatrical2014-04-05
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