East Side Sushi - Feel good movie

A debut film for many including the director of the film and the leading ladies. Protagonist is a Latina actor called Diana Torres who plays the part of a single mom that is helping put food on the table for her young daughter played amazingly well by a young talent from the bay area. The director himself is also a native of the SF bay area and lot of the shoot is done in the Oakland neighborhood, the city in the east bay.

Honest, innocent and yet daring is how I would describe this film. It is a stereotype busting tale of this young Latina who after taking abuse from the street thugs whilst selling her fruit cups and doing odd jobs in kitchens all over stumbles on a 'Help Wanted' sign at a Sushi place.

After observing the place from the window for a few times she is emboldened to step in and get an interview with the Japanese lady that manages this place. From there she gets hired through straight talk and by putting in honest hard work and power of observation wins the confidence and trust of the resident Sushi chef.

As a path to her career progression she feels empowered to ask for a place at the front of the house making sushi for the customers. Breaking the restaurant ceiling as it were, being a female and a Latina and being a Japanese Sushi chef is the surprise twist this movie handles with aplomb.

Two thumbs up - way up!

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