Man Push Cart (2005)

A study in minimalism, much of this film takes place in the dark. At 3 in the morning, Ahmed, a former Pakistani rock star turned street cart coffee seller, pushes his cart to its Manhattan corner. He doesn't get back to Brooklyn til late.

The film's inspiration was Camus' "The Myth of Sisyphus", according to Roger Ebert, who friggin loved it. Man rolls rock up hill, it rolls down; repeat. The guy seems depressed. He lets a cute love interest fade away, then shoves his only chance to make it on the entertainment scene. He doesn't really try to do anything but see his kid, sell his food, and play a little music. But he might be on the right track, not letting a bunch of distractions get in the way. 

Somehow, Ahmed speaks perfect English. It seems like he would have more opportunities with that skill, but the film paints a life with little time to find better work. 

It reminded me of buying tea from a cart person in Manhattan when I interned at Spin magazine. I could've ended up in the movie -- it used hidden cameras. That helps explain how it was made cheaply. I can't see San Francisco allowing for much budget moviemaking without some subterfuge involved.

So anyway it's pretty good as a movie. Don't expect much to happen, and you won't be disappointed. There's also a Mac cameo. You wonder if Apple pays for those placements, which I see pretty much everywhere I look.