{{Multiple issues| {{More citations needed|date=August 2021}} {{Lead too short|date=February 2026}} }} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2026}} {{Use American English|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox film | name = Choking Man | image = Chokingmanposter.jpg | caption = ''Choking Man'' Theatrical Poster | director = Steve Barron | producer = Steve Barron<br />Zachary Mortensen<br />Joshua Zeman | writer = Steve Barron | starring = Octavio Gómez Berríos<br />Eugenia Yuan<br />Aaron Paul<br />Mandy Patinkin | music = Nico Muhly | cinematography = Steve Barron | editing = Steve Barron<br />Joshua Zeman<br />Zachary Mortensen | distributor = International Film Circuit | released = {{Film date|2006|04||Tribeca Film Festival}} | runtime = 83 minutes | country = United States | language = English, Spanish }}

'''''Choking Man'''''<ref>{{cite news|title=Choking Man (2006)|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/346342/Choking-Man/overview|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071108234222/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/346342/Choking-Man/overview|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-11-08|department=Movies & TV Dept.|work=The New York Times|author=Mark Deming|date=2007|accessdate=2007-11-01}}</ref> is a 2006 drama film, written and directed by Steve Barron. The film stars Octavio Gómez Berríos and Eugenia Yuan.

==Synopsis== ''Choking Man'' is an intense blend of psychological drama and magical realism that encapsulates the contemporary immigrant experience in America. Jorge (Octavio Gómez Berríos) is a morbidly shy Ecuadorian dishwasher toiling away in a shabby diner in Jamaica, Queens run by Rick (Mandy Patinkin). He works all day long in the shadow of the ever-present Heimlich maneuver instruction poster which hangs in the diner kitchen. From his solitary kitchen corner, Jorge gropes mutely for a bond with Amy (Eugenia Yuan), the newly hired Chinese waitress and even though she tries to reciprocate, the gulf that separates them may be too large. On the job he is continually tormented by his coworker Jerry (Aaron Paul) and at home in his Harlem boarding house, under the psychological control of his late uncle, who was truly like a father to him. His uncle was described as being the only caring person in Jorge's life. He battles his inner demons. Set in the vicinity of JFK airport, the most culturally diverse neighborhood in the world, Choking Man captures the feeling of claustrophobia some newcomers to America experience as they struggle to find a place and purpose in this strange land.

==Reception== ''Choking Man'' had a mixed reception by critics.{{Citation needed|date=August 2021}}

==Soundtrack== The score to ''Choking Man'' was composed by Nico Muhly.{{Citation needed|date=August 2021}}

==Awards==

*Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You Award, 16th Annual Gotham Awards, 2006<ref>{{cite news|publisher=Variety|title='Half Nelson' tops Gotham Awards (2006)|url=https://www.variety.com/awardcentral_article/VR1117954782.html?nav=gotham07|accessdate=2007-11-01 | first=Steven | last=Zeitchik | date=2006-11-29}}</ref> *Best Director, Best Newcomers Octavio Gómez Berríos & Eugenia Yuan, Best Soundtrack Nico Muhly, Special Jury Award, Ibiza International Film Festival, 2007

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{Official website|http://www.chokingman.com}} * {{IMDb title|0457302|Choking Man}} *eFilmCritic.com [http://www.efilmcritic.com/feature.php?feature=2536 interview] with Steve Barron on "Choking Man."

{{Steve Barron}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Choking Man}} Category:2006 films Category:2006 Spanish-language films Category:2006 drama films Category:2006 independent films Category:American drama films Category:American independent films Category:Films directed by Steve Barron Category:Films scored by Nico Muhly Category:Films set in Queens, New York Category:Films about immigration to the United States Category:2006 English-language films Category:2006 American films Category:English-language independent films Category:English-language drama films