The Kitchen

The Kitchen

ITVS presents Andre Degas's THE KITCHEN. A poignant drama about the generational struggle between an Egyptian immigrant father and his assirnilated son set in New York City's cultural melting pot Hell's Kitchen

Jamal (Jason Raize), a first generation Egyptian American, is struggling to strike a balance between his personal aspirations and his responsibilities to his imrnigrant father, Farid (Mark Margolis), a strong patriarch from the old country. Farid owns and operates a small bodega in the multiracial Manhattan neighborhood of Hell's Kitchen and strongly believes that "in America, you must have something to sell or something to own" in order to succeed. His wish is that Jamal will one day take over the family bodega.

Unfortunately for Farid, Jamal has different plans. Jamal dreams of a successful musical career as a percussionist with his "boogaloo" band and sees the bodega as a symbol of stagnation. Naturally, Farid does not support, understand or approve of Jamal's nontraditional aspirations, not to mention his motley crew of friends which includes bandmates Zack (David Skinner) and Loud (Elvis O. Nolasco) and his older white girlfriend Annie (Michele Harris).

Their irreconcilable differences eventually drive Jarnal to leave the bodega and move in with his girlfriend. But when Farid is put in the hospital after a violent robbery attempt by Bunny (Erik Jensen), the neighborhood thug, Jamal must decide whether to keep the store open or leave behind his father's way of life.

Written and directed by Andre Degas, an accomplished percussionist of Egyptian origin who lived most of his adult life in Hell's Kitchen, THE KITCHEN not only explores the universal issues of family, alienation and assimilation, but is a rare depiction of Egyptians as part of the fabric of American life.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

Before writing and directing THE KITCHEN for ITVS, Andre Degas (director/ writer/ editor) wrote and produced the feature film Condition Red, a 1996 prison drama starring Cynda Williams and James Russo, for Showtime. Degas also directed the features American Autobahn in 1986 and First Coda in 1984. He is currently developing a script called That Voodoo You Do for 40 Acres and a Mule.

Check pbs.org for program schedules.

This website: Copyright © 2000 Dream World Media / Urban Mozaik Magazine. All rights reserved. This website/publication, in whole or in part, may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher or the previous publisher of original republished materials.





			Left: Jamal (Jason Raize) working hard behind the counter at the bodega. Above: Jamal (Jason Raize) converses with his father Farid (Mark Margolis) at the bodega. Top right: Jamal (Jason Raize, center) hanging out with bandmates Loud (Elvis O. Nolasco, left) and Zack (David Skinner, right) Bottom right: Jamal with his girlfriend Annie (Michelle Harris)
	The Kitchen ITVS presents Andre Degas's THE KITCHEN. A poignant drama about the generational struggle between an Egyptian immigrant father and his assirnilated son set in New York City's cultural melting pot Hell's Kitchen Jamal (Jason Raize), a first generation Egyptian American, is struggling to strike a balance between his personal aspirations and his responsibilities to his imrnigrant father, Farid (Mark Margolis), a strong patriarch from the old country. Farid owns and operates a small bodega in the multiracial Manhattan neighborhood of Hell's Kitchen and strongly believes that "in America, you must have something to sell or something to own" in order to succeed. His wish is that Jamal will one day take over the family bodega. Unfortunately for Farid, Jamal has different plans. Jamal dreams of a successful musical career as a percussionist with his "boogaloo" band and sees the bodega as a symbol of stagnation. Naturally, Farid does not support, understand or approve of Jamal's nontraditional aspirations, not to mention his motley crew of friends which includes bandmates Zack (David Skinner) and Loud (Elvis O. Nolasco) and his older white girlfriend Annie (Michele Harris). Their irreconcilable differences eventually drive Jarnal to leave the bodega and move in with his girlfriend. But when Farid is put in the hospital after a violent robbery attempt by Bunny (Erik Jensen), the neighborhood thug, Jamal must decide whether to keep the store open or leave behind his father's way of life. Written and directed by Andre Degas, an accomplished percussionist of Egyptian origin who lived most of his adult life in Hell's Kitchen, THE KITCHEN not only explores the universal issues of family, alienation and assimilation, but is a rare depiction of Egyptians as part of the fabric of American life. ABOUT THE DIRECTOR Before writing and directing THE KITCHEN for ITVS, Andre Degas (director/ writer/ editor) wrote and produced the feature film Condition Red, a 1996 prison drama starring Cynda Williams and James Russo, for Showtime. Degas also directed the features American Autobahn in 1986 and First Coda in 1984. He is currently developing a script called That Voodoo You Do for 40 Acres and a Mule. Check pbs.org for program schedules. This website: Copyright © 2000 Dream World Media / Urban Mozaik Magazine. All rights reserved. This website/publication, in whole or in part, may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher or the previous publisher of original republished materials.