DIVE-IN 48 presents TAKE OUT

Take Out (2004), directed by Sean Baker and Shih-ching Tsou, is a quiet yet powerful drama that offers a rare glimpse into the daily lives of Chinese immigrant workers in New York City. The film explores the human and economic pressures faced by those living on the margins of the American dream.

The story follows a young immigrant over the course of a single working day as he struggles to earn enough money to pay off mounting debts. Told with a restrained, almost documentary-like approach, the film captures exhaustion, vulnerability, and resilience with remarkable intimacy.

Seen today, Take Out stands as a key early work in Sean Baker’s career. Long before Tangerine and The Florida Project — and well before his four Academy Awards for Anora in 2024 — the film reveals his lasting commitment to telling stories about overlooked communities. A compelling experience for audiences interested in independent cinema and social realism.