66th THESSALONIKI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
31 OCTOBER → 9 NOVEMBER 2025
Tributes: Ramin Bahrani

USA 2007 84 35mm Color
Alejandro, a tough and ambitious Latino street orphan on the verge of adolescence, lives and works in an auto-body repair shop in a sprawling junkyard on the outskirts of Queens, New York. In this chaotic world of adults, young Alejandro struggles to make a better life for himself and his 16-year-old sister, Isamar. “Chop Shop” is a slang phrase for a location where people disassemble stolen cars for the purpose of selling them as parts.
Awards
Grand Prize, InterFilm Jury Award – Riga IF Forum “Arsenals” 2008, Latvia
Audience Award – Philadelphia FF 2008, USA
Someone to Watch Award – Independent Spirits Award 2009, USA