Who's in It: Ahmad Razvi, Leticia Dolera, Charles Daniel Sandoval
The Basics: It's the myth of Sisyphus, told on the streets of New York City, only this one's about a Pakistani rock singer whose new job in America is selling coffee and donuts at a rolling sidewalk kiosk. No, it's not that Borat movie.
What's the Deal? This is what most critics and definitely most studio types would call a "small" film. It's about one guy doing one thing, and it looks as though it was made for $35. But don't confuse budget and scope for significance. It's about the absurdity of urban life just like any Woody Allen movie, only from the side of the have-nots. If it comes to your city, don't let it slip away from you.
Sisywho? Dear Person Who Didn't Pay Attention in School: Sisyphus was the guy whose job for all eternity was to push a rock up a hill. Then it would roll down. Then he'd start over. Forever. So you can kind of guess what sort of Bicycle Thief action winds up happening here. And don't go, "What's Bicycle Thief?" or you're banned from reading my reviews forever.
How Depressing Is It? Sort of. But neo-neo-realism like this isn't about bumming you out. It's about connections, especially five years after 9/11 and considering the current hostile feelings lots of people have toward immigrants. Movies, even "small" ones like this, fight to break that ignorance down.
Non-SAG, I'm Guessing: Actor Ahmad Razvi, the man pushing the cart, used to do that very thing for a living. Take that, Sean Penn and all you other Method guys. Go sell bagels on a cart for a year and see how much you dig that.