“East Side Sushi,” written and directed by Anthony Lucero, opens Friday, Sept. 18, at theaters throughout California.

The film introduces us to Juana, a working-class Latina single mother who strives to become a sushi chef. Years of working in the food industry have made Juana’s hands fast — very fast. She can slice and dice anything you throw at her with great speed and precision.

Forced to give up her fruit-vending cart in order to find a more secure job, Juana lands a position as a kitchen assistant at a local Japanese restaurant. It is there she discovers a new friendship and a whole new world of cuisine and culture, far removed from everything she has ever known.

While working in the restaurant’s kitchen, Juana secretly observes the sushi chefs and eventually teaches herself to make a multitude of sushi. Her creativity sparked, Juana’s reignited passion for food drives her to want more from her job and her life.

Eventually she attempts to become a sushi chef, but is unable to because she is the “wrong” race and gender. Against all odds, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery, determined to not let anyone stop her from achieving her dream.

The cast includes Diana Elizabeth Torres, Yutaka Takeuchi, Rodrigo Duarte Clark, Kaya Jade Aguirre, Roji Oyama, Miyoko Sakatani and Lane Nishikawa.

“East Side Sushi” opens Sept. 18 at the following theaters (alphabetical by city):

• Bakersfield —?Bakersfield 16, 1000 California Ave.; (661) 636-0484; http://mayacinemas.com

• Berkeley — Rialto Cineams Elmwood, 2966 College Ave.; (510) 433-9730; www.rialtocinemas.com

• Monterey Park —?AMC Atlantic Times Square 14, 450 N. Atlantic Blvd.; www.amctheatres.com

• North Hollywood —?NoHo 7, 5240 Lankershim Blvd.; (310) 478-3836; www.laemmle.com

• Oakland — Grand Lake Theatre, 3200 Grand Ave; (510) 452-3556; www.renaissancerialto.com

• Orange —?AMC Orange 30, 20 City Blvd. West, Suite E; www.amctheatres.com

• Pico Rivera — Cinépolis Pico Rivera, (562) 205-3456, http://cinepolisusa.co

• Pittsburg — Century Plaza 16, 4085 Century Blvd.; (925) 753-1788; http://mayacinemas.com

• Salinas —?Salinas 14, 153 Main St.; (831) 757-MAYA; http://mayacinemas.com

• San Diego — Digital Gym Cinema in North Park, 2921 El Cajon Blvd.; (619) 230-1938; http://digitalgym.org

• San Francisco — Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, 1881 Post St.; www.sundancecinemas.com

• San Jose — Camera 12, 201 S. Second St.; (408) 998-3300; www.cameracinemas.com

• San Rafael —?Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center, 1118 Fourth St.; (415) 454-1222; http://rafaelfilm.cafilm.org

• West Hollywood —?Sundance Sunset, 8000 Sunset Blvd.; www.sundancecinemas.com

The film will open on Friday, Sept. 25, at the following theaters:

• Santa Ana —?The Frida Cinema, 305 E. 4^thSt.; http://thefridacinema.org

• Sebastopol — Rialto Cinemas Sebastpol, 6868 McKinley St.; (707) 525-4840; www.rialtocinemas.com

For more information, visit http://eastsidesushifilm.com.

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