Bread and Roses

"The Balance of Power Is About to Change"

2000 1h 50m EN

😐

6.3

MID

★6.3TMDB · 148

ComedyDrama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

In Los Angeles, undocumented Mexican immigrant Maya finds work as a janitor through her sister, Rosa. However, as both work non-union, conditions are grim. After enduring abuse from her superiors, Maya is open to the pro-union rhetoric offered by organiser Sam Shapiro. Rosa, meanwhile, is far less interested in clashing with management, given the needs of her family, and a rift forms between the sisters.

“The Balance of Power Is About to Change”

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Cast

Pilar Padilla
Maya
Adrien Brody
Sam Shapiro
Jack McGee
Bert
Monica Rivas
Simona
Frankie Davila
Luis
Lillian Hurst
Anna
Maria Orellana
Berta
Melody Garrett
Cynthia

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Ken Loach
Writers: Paul Laverty
Languages: English, Spanish
Countries: United Kingdom, Germany, Spain

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 🍿

1 / 8

MONEY

Did you know

Earned back only 13% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

26 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, Spanish.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 3 countries: United Kingdom, Germany, Spain.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Ken Loach, shot by Barry Ackroyd. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by George Fenton. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Jonathan Morris shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Pilar Padilla and Adrien Brody and Jack McGee carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Ken Loach directs. Barry Ackroyd behind the camera. George Fenton scores. Jonathan Morris cuts. A commercial under-performer on release. Produced in United Kingdom, Germany, Spain. Dialogue in English, Spanish.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Earned back only 13% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.
226 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
3Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, Spanish.
4International production across 3 countries: United Kingdom, Germany, Spain.
5Directed by Ken Loach, shot by Barry Ackroyd. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
6Original score by George Fenton. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
7Editor Jonathan Morris shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
8Pilar Padilla and Adrien Brody and Jack McGee carry the top of the cast.
9Marketing tagline: "The Balance of Power Is About to Change".
10IMDB entry: tt0212826 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.