Foreign Parts

Watch Foreign Parts

  • NR
  • 2011
  • 1 hr 21 min
  • 6.8  (160)
  • 78

Foreign Parts is a 2010 documentary that explores the ins and outs of an auto salvage yard in the Willets Point area of Queens, New York. The film follows a group of working-class immigrants who run small businesses in the junkyard, as well as the challenges they face on a daily basis. The documentary takes its title from the term "foreign parts," which refers to the car parts that the junkyard workers sell to make a living. The film paints a portrait of a tight-knit community that is both gritty and resilient, as the workers come together to support each other despite the difficult conditions they face.

The film is directed by Verena Paravel and J.P. Sniadecki, who use a unique observational style to capture the daily rhythms of life in the junkyard. The filmmakers eschew traditional talking-head interviews and instead rely on ambient sound and images to tell the story of Willets Point.

Throughout the film, we are introduced to a colorful cast of characters who work in the junkyard. There's Kevin, a hardworking mechanic who dreams of opening his own shop; Gerson, a charismatic Honduran immigrant who sells stolen car stereos out of his van; and Juan, a veteran auto mechanic who struggles to keep up with the changing technology of modern cars.

One of the key themes of the film is the tension between the workers and the city government, which is threatening to shut down the junkyard and replace it with a convention center. The workers argue that their businesses provide a crucial service to the community, and that they should be allowed to stay in Willets Point.

As the film progresses, we see the workers band together to resist the city's plans, staging protests and engaging in street-level activism. Their efforts are met with resistance from the police, who are called in to break up the protests and arrest the activists.

Despite the tensions between the workers and the city government, the film never loses sight of the human stories at the heart of the junkyard. We see the workers' struggles and triumphs, their joys and their sorrows, as they navigate the challenges of life in an overlooked and marginalized corner of the city.

Overall, Foreign Parts is a compelling and thought-provoking documentary that sheds light on a hidden corner of New York City. Through its intimate portraits of working-class immigrants, the film provides a window into the lives of people who are often overlooked and undervalued by society at large. It is a moving tribute to the resilience and strength of the human spirit, as well as a powerful reminder of the importance of community and solidarity in the face of adversity.

Foreign Parts is a 2011 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 21 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 78.

Description
Where to Watch Foreign Parts
Foreign Parts is available to watch free on Kanopy. It's also available to stream, download on demand at . Some platforms allow you to rent Foreign Parts for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    2011
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Runtime
    1 hr 21 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.8  (160)
  • Metascore
    78