Premiere - La Cocina :  A Night of Cinema and Culinary Chaos at Pathé Palace

By Mulder, Paris, Pathé Palace, 18 march 2025

On March 18, 2025, the highly anticipated Paris premiere of La Cocina took place at the prestigious Pathé Palace. The event was attended by director Alonso Ruizpalacios and actress Soundos Mosbah, adding a special touch to the evening. Although initially advertised as including a post-screening Q&A session, the audience was instead treated to a brief introduction by the director and actress before the film commenced. While their presence was appreciated, many attendees expressed disappointment at the lack of an in-depth discussion about the film's themes, production, and creative process. The lighting conditions in the venue also posed challenges for those attempting to capture photos or videos, making media coverage less than ideal.

Despite these minor setbacks, the premiere was a significant event, marking the arrival of La Cocina in France ahead of its theatrical release on April 2, 2025. The film, a comedy-drama directed by Alonso Ruizpalacios, is inspired by the 1957 play The Kitchen by Arnold Wesker, which was previously adapted into a 1961 film of the same name. However, Ruizpalacios' version offers a fresh perspective by shifting the cultural context: rather than focusing on European immigrants working in a British kitchen, La Cocina highlights the experiences of Latin American and Arab workers navigating the high-pressure environment of a Manhattan restaurant.

Starring Raúl Briones, Rooney Mara, Soundos Mosbah, Anna Diaz, Motell Foster, Oded Fehr, Eduardo Olmos, and Spenser Granese, the film presents a mosaic of characters, each grappling with personal struggles amid the chaos of the kitchen. The narrative unfolds in The Grill, a busy New York restaurant, where a missing sum of money from the cash register sets off a chain reaction of tension and drama. At the heart of the story is Pedro, a rebellious cook who is desperate to prove his love to Julia, while Estela, a newly arrived recruit from Mexico, struggles to adapt to the restaurant's high-pressure environment. The film’s dynamic storytelling, combined with Ruizpalacios' signature visual style, creates an immersive and emotionally charged experience.

Originally premiering in competition at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival on February 16, 2024, La Cocina has since garnered attention for its gripping depiction of working-class struggles and cultural diversity within the food industry. The film had its U.S. release on October 25, 2024, through Willa, followed by a theatrical launch in Mexico on November 7, 2024, via Cinépolis Distribución. Now, with its upcoming release in France, it is set to reach an even wider audience.

Alonso Ruizpalacios, known for films like Güeros (2014) and Museo (2018), has built a reputation for blending sharp social commentary with compelling storytelling. His latest work, La Cocina, is no exception, as it delves into themes of immigration, economic hardship, and human resilience, all set against the backdrop of a hectic restaurant kitchen. The film’s score, composed by Tomás Barreiro, and the cinematography by Juan Pablo Ramírez further enhance its immersive atmosphere, making the audience feel the heat, pressure, and intensity of kitchen life.

As the Parisian audience got a first taste of La Cocina, the film promises to resonate with viewers worldwide, offering a raw yet poetic look into the lives of those working behind the scenes in the restaurant industry. With its upcoming French release, moviegoers can soon experience the intensity, humor, and humanity that Alonso Ruizpalacios brings to the screen in this vibrant and thought-provoking film.

You can discover our photos here

You can discover our  Alonso Ruizpalacios’s interview during the Deauville American film Festival last September here and our review here

Synopsis : 
It's rush hour in the kitchen of the Grill, a bustling Manhattan restaurant. When money disappears from the cash register, service gets out of hand. Pedro, a dreamy, rebellious cook, tries to prove his love to Julia, while Estella, a new recruit just arrived from Mexico, must navigate the chaos.

La Cocina
Directed by Alonso Ruizpalacios
Produced by Ramiro Ruiz, Gerardo Gatica, Alonso Ruizpalacios, Lauren Mann & Ivan Orlic
Written by Alonso Ruizpalacios
Starring Raúl Briones, Rooney Mara, Anna Díaz, Motell Foste, Oded Fehr, James Waterson, Lee Sellars
Music: Tomás Barreiro
Director of photography: Juan Pablo Ramírez
Editing: Yibran Asuad
Production companies : Panorama Global, Astrakan Film AB, Filmadora, Fifth Season, Seine Pictures
Distributed by WILLA (United States), L'Atelier Distribution (France)
Release date: AOctober 25, 2024 (United States), April 2, 2025 (France)
Running time: 139 minutes

Photos and video : Boris Colletier / Mulderville