The Fighting Cooks is an exemplary piece of reporting that blends human
interest with investigative journalism to expose pressing social issues in
Argentina. Through its nuanced portrayal of gender, poverty, and labor
rights, it not only informs but also mobilizes audiences to recognize the
essential contributions of women in the fight for social justice.
The Fighting Cooks follows Alicia Casimiro, the coordinator of a community kitchen in Buenos Aires, and her movement as they demand recognition for their essential work. The film highlights the resilience of women in Argentina’s impoverished slums, where thousands of women run soup kitchens that feed millions of people living below the poverty line. With half the population struggling to make ends meet, these kitchens provide a vital lifeline, serving around 10 million meals daily while government support remains scarce and unreliable. Alicia, a mother of seven, manages one of the city’s first soup kitchens while also working as a kitchenware seller and a labor rights advocate. She leads a grassroots effort alongside other women, fighting for legal recognition, fair wages, basic income, and social security. They aim to secure labor rights that acknowledge their invaluable contributions to their communities.
Through compelling visual storytelling and intimate interviews, it shines a spotlight on a crucial, yet often invisible, group of women who are the backbone of Argentina's community food systems, while challenging both political and societal structures that marginalize them. This story’s rich storytelling, combined with its relevance to current political and economic issues in
Latin America, makes it a deserving candidate for the Robert Spiers Benjamin Award for Best Reporting on Latin America.
The creation of The Fighting Cooks was not just a filmmaking endeavor—it was an act of collaboration, resilience, and deep empathy. From the moment we decided to take on this project, we knew it would require a unique, sensitive approach, both in terms of the subject matter and the personal stories of the women at the heart of the documentary. The film follows Alicia Casimiro, a mother of seven and coordinator of one of Buenos Aires’ first soup kitchens, as she leads a grassroots movement fighting for labor rights and recognition for Argentina’s community kitchen workers.
The initial phase of the project involved researching the ground realities of Argentina’s soup kitchen network and establishing trust with Alicia and the cooks. We started by building relationships, listening to their stories, and understanding the cultural, social, and political dynamics at play. Gaining the cooks’ trust was a major challenge. Many were initially unsure about sharing their stories on film, given their histories of being overlooked and exploited. Their skepticism was understandable, but it was also something we had to navigate carefully. We needed to be transparent about our intentions and show them the film's potential to elevate their voices on a global scale.
From a production perspective, filming in the impoverished neighborhoods and soup kitchens of Buenos Aires posed logistical challenges. The spaces were often small, overcrowded, and difficult to navigate with equipment. But the real challenge came in capturing the emotional depth of the story. Alicia’s transformation from a dedicated cook to an outspoken activist was emotionally charged, and we had to respect her vulnerability while creating a space for her to express her frustrations, hopes, and dreams. We also witnessed the emotional toll this fight took on the women. Their personal stories of balancing work, family, and activism were often complicated by feelings of burnout, fear of failure, and political uncertainty—especially as the country’s economic instability and the lack of government support for their movement loomed large.
One of the most poignant moments in the film came when Alicia and over 100 cooks marched to Argentina’s National Congress, armed with more than 500,000 signatures. Capturing this moment required intense planning and coordination, especially since we were filming amidst a politically charged environment. We had to ensure that the cooks' voices remained central while navigating their interactions with the media and the broader political landscape. Emotional shiftsin the characters—such as hope, frustration, and exhaustion—were ever-present, and we had to adapt our shooting and editing to stay in sync with their evolving emotions.
Another significant challenge was working from a remote office setting while trying to understand the ground realities. We were thousands of miles away, but we relied heavily on local contacts and our deep respect for the cooks’ experiences. Sometimes, information was fragmented or delayed, making it difficult to adjust our narrative or approach in real-time. However, these obstacles became opportunities for us to learn, adapt, and grow as a team. We continuously adjusted our filming and storytelling techniques to better reflect the complexities of the situation.
Despite these hurdles, we made the conscious decision to give the cooks full agency in telling their story. The result is a documentary that doesn’t just highlight their struggles—it celebrates their strength, their solidarity, and their relentless fight for justice. Through raw interviews, archival footage, and intimate behind-the-scenes moments, the film brings the viewer into the heart of Argentina's fight for labor rights and gender justice.
What makes The Fighting Cooks unique is its focus on the intersectionality of gender, labor, and social justice. It’s not just about food security—it's about the women behind the kitchens, their role in shaping communities, and their ability to demand change even in the face of systemic neglect. By elevating the voices of these women and telling their story with authenticity, we aim to challenge stereotypes about poverty, gender, and activism in the Global South.
Ultimately, The Fighting Cooks is more than just a documentary—it’s a call to action, reminding us of the power of collective action and the importance of recognizing those who work behind the scenes, often without acknowledgment or compensation.
The primary objective of The Fighting Cooks was to amplify the voices of marginalized women leading Argentina's grassroots movement for labor rights and recognition, and to bring attention to the systemic inequalities they face. We aimed to highlight their resilience, the significance of community kitchens in tackling food insecurity, and the urgent need for fair wages and legal protections.
Our efforts were a success because we achieved all of these objectives while maintaining the integrity of the women’s stories. The film not only shed light on the struggles of the cooks but also showcased their unwavering solidarity and determination. By focusing on Alicia Casimiro and other key figures, we humanized the larger movement, allowing viewers to connect emotionally with their experiences. The documentary sparked international conversations about gender justice, labor rights, and economic inequality, resonating with global audiences, especially those in similar situations of poverty and disenfranchisement.
The project was also successful in reaching a wide audience, with the film airing on VOA digital platforms and nine global affiliates, allowing the movement's message to spread beyond Argentina. We were able to break through the silence surrounding this issue, showing that even in the face of systemic neglect, collective action can drive social change. By showcasing these women's struggles and triumphs, we not only educated viewers but also provided a platform for their voices to be heard, making it a meaningful and impactful documentary.
