PRESS KIT

Choking Man

Riley Productions presentsA Ghost Robot production

TRT: 83 minutesWriter/Director: Steve Barron

CONTACT:

Producers:Joshua ZemanZachary Mortensen

Ghost Robot373 Broadway, Suite F3New York, NY 10013

T 212-343-0900F 212-898-1119C 646-234-1036

chokingman@ghostrobot.com

SALES:

Required ViewingSteven Raphael

48 Perry Street, #3ENew York, NY 10014

917-287-1679

sterapha@aol.com

PUBLICITY:

Fat DotWeiman SeidJenny Lawhorn

87 Bedford St. #1NY, NY 10014

212-691-4224

weimanseid@fatdot.netjennylawhorn@fatdot.net

Gotham Award Winner “Best Film Not Playing in a Theater Near You”

SYNOPSIS

Choking Man is an intense blend of psychological drama and magical realism thatencapsulates the contemporary immigrant experience in America.

Jorge (Octavio Gomez Berrios) is a morbidly shy Ecuadorian dishwasher toilingaway in a shabby Jamaica, Queens, New York diner run by Rick (Mandy Patinkin).He works all day long in the shadow of the ever-present Heimlich Maneuverinstruction poster which hangs in the diner kitchen. From his solitary kitchencorner, Jorge gropes mutely for a bond with Amy (Eugenia Yuan), the newly hiredChinese waitress and even though she tries to reciprocate, the gulf that separatesthem may be too large. On the job he is continually tormented by his coworkerJerry (Aaron Paul) and at home in his Harlem boarding, under the psychologicalcontrol of his domineering ‘roomate,’ he battles his inner demons.

Set in the vicinity of JFK airport, the most culturally diverse neighborhood in theworld, Choking Man captures the feeling of claustrophobia and almost literalasphyxiation newcomers to America experience as they struggle to find a placeand purpose in this strange land.

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

This film marks the first time in fifteen years that I sat down with a blank page towrite my own concept to direct, and the first time it wasn't for a Music Video.Having control of the projects origins created a greater opportunity to be unusual,layered and brave. In those years directing other people's work my son grew up,and has now helped me conceive this basic new idea. We sat in a Long Islanddiner, chatting about how anonymous the Heimlich Maneuver poster must be to thecitizens of New York and a light bulb went on.

Some months later, inspired by the cavalier spirit of New York independent movieslike 'Station Agent' and 'Raising Victor Vargas' the blank page was filled with'Choking Man'. The tale centers on one of the thousands of immigrant kitchenworkers in America who feel they no more belong to where they came from thanwhere they live now. Jorge is as anonymous to the people around him as thatconstant Government Issue graphic that lingers three feet in front of his face. Thisis the character you usually don't make a film about. This is the invisible man thatgives you few clues as to what is going on inside his impenetrable mind. Wheredoes he disappear to when he enters his lonely home? What happens whensomeone does actually 'see' him? How far can he be moved from 'who' he is?What is his breaking point? These are the questions I wanted to explore with'Choking Man'.

Jamaica in Queens felt like an apt setting for this story. It is, according to the NewYork Times, the most multi-cultural place on the planet with 140 differentlanguages spoken. Jorge doesn't seem to speak any one of them; his is thelanguage of 'shy'.

BIOS

Steve Barron | Writer/Director

Born in Dublin Ireland, Steve Barron started in films as a camera assistant on epicproductions such as Richard Donner’s ‘Superman’, Richard Attenborough’s ‘A Bridge TooFar’ and Ridley Scott’s ‘The Duellist’.

A pioneer of the music video industry, Steve got his start directing such influencial bands asthe “The Jam”, “Human League”, and “Adam and the Ants.” Eventually, he would go on todirect some of the popular videos in history, including the award winning videos ‘Billie-Jean’by Michael Jackson, Dire Straits’ ‘Money for Nothing’ and A-Ha’s ‘Take On Me’ amongothers.

His first feature film “Electric Dreams” was released in 1984 which he followed with anumber of years directing television in the US and UK. Steve’s second feature stunned themovie industry by becoming the first independent feature to break the 100 million-dollartheatrical barrier in the U.S. “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.”

In 1993 Steve directed the Dan Ackroyd feature ‘Coneheads’ for Paramount and wasExecutive Producer on the Sylvester Stallone, Sharon Stone picture ‘The Specialist’, and thehighly successful “While You Were Sleeping.”

In autumn 1998, Steve directed “Merlin,” a $30 million television mini-series produced byHallmark for NBC in America. Merlin attracted a great cast including Sam Neill, HelenaBonham-Carter, Miranda Richardson, Isabella Rossellini, Martin Short and Rutger Hauer.Following the mini-series Steve went on to direct “Arabian Nights” ABC network.Photographed in Turkey and Morocco it stars Mili Avital, Alan Bates, Jason Scott Lee, JohnLeguizamo and Rufus Sewell. This project brought Steve 5 more Emmy nominations and aUS national television critics nomination.

In October 2000 Steve’s feature ‘Rat’ had it’s theatrical release from Univeral in the UK torave reviews. Steve’s next comedy was “Mike Bassett-England manager” a spoofdocumentary feature film starring Ricky Tomlinson as the national soccer coach. The filmhad a wide UK theatrical release in November 2001, earning $6m and charting at numberthree in it’s first four weeks.

Summer 2002 was spent shooting a $24m American Indian mini-series epic for ABC andHallmark. ‘Dreamkeeper’ is the first high-profile, big scale attempt to bring to life the myth’sand legends of the Native American people. Tribes all across the United States wereconsulted and ninety-five speaking roles all cast with Native people. The production wonSteve a Gold Award for directorial achievement at the Chicago International TV Festival andan Emmy for best visual effects.

Joshua Zeman – Producer

Joshua Zeman has co-produced five feature films in recent years, most notably, “The StationAgent,” which won the 2003’ Sundance Audience and Screenwriting Award, and GreggAraki’s, “Mysterious Skin,” nominated for a 2006’ Independent Spirit Award. “MysteriousSkin” has been ranked on numerous critics’ Top Ten Lists and hailed by Kevin Thomas ofthe Los Angeles Times as his top film of 2006’. Joshua also co-produced “The Hawk isDying,” directed by Julian Goldberger (“Trans”) starring Paul Giamatti, Michael Pitt andMichelle Williams. “The Hawk Is Dying” premiered at this years’ Sundance Film Festival andwas chosen for the Director’s Fortnight Program at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival.

In addition to feature films, Joshua recently penned and produced an hour-longdocumentary on the History of the Mafia in New York for the Discovery Channel entitled“Members Only” and is currently editing the feature documentary film, “Cropsey.” His firstscreenplay, “Fresh Kills,” was optioned by Fine Line Entertainment and Forensic Films(“Julian Donkey Boy”, “Gummo” and “What Happened Was”) In 2002, Joshua received aMacDowell Fellowship for his screenplay, “Cat Dancer.”

His freelance articles have appeared in Filmmaker Magazine and the RBS Gazette.

Zachary Mortensen – Producer

Zachary Mortensen has been a producer in NYC for nine years, producing features, award-winning music videos and commercials. In 1997 - 1998 Mortensen was the Director ofProduction at Caipirinha Productions where he supervised the post-production anddistribution of the critically acclaimed documentary feature “Modulations.” In 2001 heproduced the feature documentary “Hell House” which premiered at the TorontoInternational Film Festival and was released theatrically in fall 2002. Mortensen is anassociate producer on the theatrical documentary “Stoked: The Rise and Fall of Gator”directed by Helen Stickler.

Recently Mortensen has produced the award-winning documentary features “BreathControl: The History of the Human Beat Box,“ “The Federation of Black Cowboys,” and thenarrative feature “Road” by Leslie McCleave which won the Outstanding Performance Awardat the Los Angeles Film Festival 2005 for leading actors Catherine Kellner and Ebon Moss-Bachrach.

Antoine Vivas-Denisov – Director of Photography

Antoine Vivas-Denisov has worked on films and commercials both in the United States andabroad. Of both Venezuelan and Russian descent, Vivas-Denisov spent his youth betweenCaracas and Moscow. He discovered his love of photography while taking a two-yearArtistic Photography Workshop with Ricardo Armas in Venezuela. This study inspiredAntoine to move to Poland and attend the University of Lodz’s five-year graduate program inFilm History and Theory. Upon completing the program, Antoine went on to undertake thefour-year graduate Cinematography Program at the Polish National Film School.

Most recently Antoine shot the feature films “Love in Concrete” by Franco de Pena, “Road”by Leslie McCleave, “Four Corners of Suburbia” by Elizabeth Puccini and "Ghost Dance" byAllen Blumberg. His commercial “Hours” for Cell Phones Digitel was nominated this year forBest Cinematography by the Venezuelan National Association of Advertising (ANDA).

CAST

Octavio Gómez Berríos - JORGE

Octavio Gómez Berríos was born in León, Nicaragua where he spent most of his childhood.In 1993, Octavio and his entire family emigrated to the United States and eventually settledin the Bronx.

Octavio has had the wonderful experience of working with respected directors and artistsincluding Sidney Lumet, Bruno Kirby and Griffin Dunne. While living in Los Angeles, Octaviowas part of The Actor’s Gym, a theater company moderated by Bobby Moresco whocounted among its members, “Crash” director Paul Haggis. Octavio is currently shooting"Che" directed by Steven Soderbergh.

“Choking Man” marks his first lead in a motion picture.

Eugenia Yuan – AMY

Eugenia won a Hong Kong Oscar for her first film, “Three: Going Home.” She was alsorecently selected as the Rising Star of Tomorrow at the Hamptons International Film Festivalfor her work in “Mail Order Wife.”

Eugenia Yuan is the daughter of Cheng Pei Pei, one of Hong Kong's reigning queens of kungfu film. She was raised in the United States and trained as a rhythm gymnast for the U.S.Olympic Team. Having grown up watching and admiring her mother on the big screen, Yuanfinally took up acting herself in 1996.

She has appeared in several television series in the U.S. including “Beverly Hills 90210,”“Baywatch,” “NYPD Blue,” and Sammo Hung's “Martial Law.” Although Eugenia is creatinga name for herself in America, She recently co-starred with her mother in “Flying Dragon,Leaping Tiger,” alongside Sammo Hung.

Aaron Paul – JERRY

A native of Boise, Idaho, Aaron Paul moved to Hollywood in 1998. After studying with anensemble of acting coaches in Los Angeles, he landed a series of national commercials withKellogg's Corn Pops, Pepsi and Pizza Hut, among others.

A casting director for NBC saw the talented Paul and cast him on “Costello.” Prior to hisappearance on the half-hour sitcom, he guest-starred on the popular television series“Suddenly Susan,” ”3rd Rock From The Sun,” “Melrose Place” and “Beverly Hills 90210.”

An active theater performer, Paul has starred in “Hoodwinked” at the Coronet Theater, “TheWedding Party” and “Love, Death & The Prom.” He currently lives in Los Angeles.

CAST - CONTINUED

Mandy Patinkin – RICK

Mandy Patinkin recently starred in the Showtime series "Dead Like Me", which premieredduring the Summer of 2003. His feature film credits include “Pinero,” “The Adventures ofElmo in Grouchland,” “Men with Guns,” “Lulu On The Bridge,” “The Princess Bride,” “Yentl,”“The Music of Chance,” “Daniel,” “Ragtime,” “Impromptu,” “The Doctor,” “Alien Nation,”“Dick Tracy,” “The House on Carroll Street,” “True Colors,” “Maxie” and “Squanto: IndianWarrior.”

Mandy won a 1995 Emmy Award for his critically acclaimed performance in the CBS series,"Chicago Hope". Other television appearances include the Showtime film “Strange Justice,”playing Quasimodo opposite Richard Harris in the TNT film presentation of “TheHunchback,” a film version of Arthur Miller's “Broken Glass” and special appearances in theseries "Law & Order", "Touched By An Angel" and "Boston Public".

CAST:

Jorge OCTAVIO GÓMEZ BERRIOS

Amy EUGENIA YUAN

Rick MANDY PATINKIN

Jerry AARON PAUL

Teri KATE BUDDEKE

Germanic Man PHILIPPE BRENNINKMEYER

Din RUPAK GINN

Chef AL ROFFE

Stand-In Chef MANDO ALVARADO

Choking Man PAOLO ANDINO

Subway Man RUSSELL G. JONES

Middle-Aged Customer PHILIP LEVY

Spoiled Brat JOHN ANTHONY FERRARA

Female Diner RUTH JAFFE

Gene MITCHELL GREENBERG

Gruff Thrift Helper STEWART STEINBERG

Religious Woman JOAN KAFER

Kenny RUDY ROBERSON

Construction Worker OLIVER BARRON

Priest JAIME TIRELLI

Female Diner's Mother IRMA ST. PAUL

Rick’s Wife MARIKA DACIUK

CREDITS LIST:

Writer/Director STEVE BARRON Producers JOSHUA ZEMAN

ZACHARY MORTENSEN STEVE BARRON

Director of Photography ANTOINE VIVAS-DENISOV Editor TODD HOLMES

JON GRIGGS Casting Director MARIA NELSON

ELLYN MARSHALL Composer NICO MUHLY

Production Designer ETHAN TOBMAN Costume Designer REBECCA HOFHERR

Key Hair & Make-Up LEO WON Line Producer CHRISTIAN BROCKEY

Production Coordinator JEN DELIA Assistant Production Coordinator KATHRYN MOISE

1st Assistant Director MARIELA COMITINI 2nd Assistant Director NICK BELL

Script Supervisor TONY OSSO Set Decorator SHANNON FINNERTY

Graffiti Artist SHAUN GUCKIAN Graphic/Animation Artist MARINA ZURKOW

Property Master MANDI DEMESKEY Prop Assistant SHELBY SABOY Prop Assistant MALINDA SCIAVIO

1st Assistant Camera MICHAEL KENNEY 2nd Assistant Camera MEGAN NOLE

Still Photographer ANDREA BARRON Special Format Skills BARRON CLAIRBORNE

Key Grip RYAN SAMUL Best Boy Grip KEVIN STANTON

Additional Key Grip JOSEPH PAOLINI Additional Grip BOB BOOTHE Additional Grip ABRAHAM ALTBUCH

Gaffer MARIA LUISA RAMIREZ Best Boy Electric JOY WEBER

Location Manager MARCY MCKENZIE Assistant Location Manager MARK DEPACE

Parking Coordinator LEO DRIVER Office Production Assistant BEV REESE Office Production Assistant CHRIS WRIGHT

Key Production Assistant JOHN KOUROMIHELAKIS 1st Team Production Assistant HEATHER ALDRIDGE

Production Assistant OLLIE BARRON Production Assistant STEPHEN LEVIN Production Assistant CHIVAS DEVINCK

Additional Production Assistant NICK OLSON

May 05, 2006

Screening Gotham—

Farewell Tribeca Edition: May 5-7, 2006

A few of this weekend's worthwhile cinematic happenings

wrapping up the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival:

--While Reeler HQ was seemingly deluged with onepowerful, exacting documentary after another, this year'sNY, NY narrative features on the whole left my eyesburning and my ass flat and sore. One of the rareexceptions was Choking Man, Steve Barron's magical-realist spectacle about a shy dishwasher (Octavio GómezBerríos, right) trapped in a multi-ethnic swirl of dreamersand damned in Jamaica, Queens. Famed music videoauteur Barron might play the class card a little too eagerlyin his writing-directing debut, but he also takes continuallyfascinating visual risks while commanding terrific, hauntedperformances from an ensemble including Mandy Patinkinand Eugenia Yuan (the daughter of Hong Kong action-filmheroine Cheng Pei Pei). Added NY, NY bonus: The NewYork of Choking Man--fractured urban communities;immigrant alienation; slow, deafening elevated trains--makes festival competition such as New York Waiting andMetro look like garish postcards. If Barron's film does notwin a prize, then Tribeca should stop awarding one.

Love and fear among the suds��

-------------CCHOKING MAN----------------

Review by Jordan Hunter

��

Sometimes I don't realize the impact a film hason me until days later... when I can't shakeemotions and images that hunt me downwhether I want them back or not. Such is the casewith Choking Man. Director Steve Barron iscertainly no stranger to odd conglomerations ofelements in films… from his quintessential 80'slove triangle - boy meets girl, boy's computer fallsin love with girl, boy and girl have good story totell grandchildren - the guilty pleasure that isElectric Dreams… through his classic cult comicNinja Turtles… to super-sized sketchfestConeheads. (Oh, and who's seen the one about aguy who comes home one night havingtransformed into a giant rat?)

But Choking Man, though itself somewhat of anoddity -- part conventional cinematic story, partpastiche, and part tone poem, it does whatmovies at their best are supposed to do: pull youinside the canvas of its inhabitants to experiencedirectly their moral or emotionaltransformations without resorting to didactics.Credit here goes not only to Barron's visualconceits and thematic concepts and his top-notchediting team, but to A+ performances across theboard, not the least of which comes from theprecocious Octavio Gomez Barrios who uttersbarely ten words throughout.

Teenaged Ecuadorian immigrant, Jorge(Barrios) suffers from crippling shyness forreasons we never learn, and don't really need toknow. By day, he washes dishes at a Queensdiner, and when he finally slogs inside theshabby walls of his one-room flat at night, he ismet by an imaginary roommate's (soapy hunk,Paolo Andino) assault of relentless, criticismsand endless esoterica that, ostensibly, are thegarbage dump of Jorge's unconscious (insubtitled Spanish.)

Jorge keeps safely resigned to his tedious fate,until Rick, the likeable diner owner (MandyPatinkin) hires gregarious Amy (a luminousEugenia Yuan) with whom Jorge becomes so

captivated he is motivated to step out of his self-imposed cage and attempt a connection. The onlyproblem is that cute, hyperkinetic jokester (anddiner cook) Jerry (Aaron Paul) is clearlydetermined to make inroads with Amy, himself.Who do ya think has a better shot?

It's a small world of simple souls and simpleracts. Barron chose to reveal it to us through longlenses and blurred backgrounds, which push ustighter into Jorge's spartan universe. Interspersedbetween the scathing commentaries of Jorge'salter ego are bits of escape, painted poetically asbrief animated images, crude, like the rumblingsof a child's fantasy. Flashes of hope, or merelyfleeting relief? You decide. Watching ChokingMan offers much for you to decide.

Last night I went to see V for Vendetta, which, forall its sound and fury, was all plot… all head. Itmanaged to evoke in me a total of zero emotionand curiosity regarding any character's fate.Choking Man definitely has a heart. Albeit abroken one -- but don't we all, sometimes?Loitering inside the lives of these very ordinaryfolks, I found myself not only caring about them,but being reminded by them that small instantscan have power.

Our overly consumerized, over-hyped popculture can, itself, be stifling. It's nice to beoccasionally present to the notion that, instead ofindulging the constant compulsion to chokedown the insane amount of information,expectation, and the endlessly expanding menuof cool stuff to acquire, it's okay to slow up, savorthe bites, and digest a more practical, personalperception of the American pie.