LAST REQUESTS | Omeleto
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- Опубліковано 22 бер 2020
- A widow cooks the last meals for death row inmates. Tonight's dish is her last.
LAST REQUESTS is used with permission from Courtenay Johnson. Learn more at courtenayjohnson.com.
Maggie, a cook working in the kitchen of a Texas prison, prepares a delicious, home-cooked dinner -- chicken with all the fixings -- for a mass murderer scheduled for execution the next day. It's not only the last meal for the death row prisoner -- it's also the last one that Maggie will ever prepare since the last meal program is being abolished by the state the next day.
She goes through an enormous outlay of effort, time and care to prepare the meal. One of her co-workers is skeptical of Maggie's efforts for a man who opened fire in a schoolyard and killed many young children, but the cook justifies it as an act of comfort for a man about to leave the land of the leaving and takes pride in her skill and work ethic.
But when her kindness doesn't land as intended, the cook reveals perhaps that there's more at work underneath her dignity and generosity than it seems.
Writer-director Courtenay Johnson's powerful, quietly provocative drama functions initially as a character portrait of sorts, portraying the work and effort of a behind-the-scenes worker in what many call the prison industrial complex. Coming from this seemingly peripheral position, it offers a subtle exploration of loaded yet ambiguous subjects like incarceration, capital punishment, mercy, justice and our own ulterior motives behind our beliefs.
Shot with a muted yet rich naturalism and written with a viewpoint that privileges character and environment, the visuals take us through part of a prison's inner workings, and the service workers offer a fascinating perspective on the role they -- and by proxy, prisons in general -- play in the U.S. judicial system, and in the process of justice in general. The storytelling isn't driven necessarily by event and action, but more the inner rhythms and emotional tides of the main character.
Actress Dale Dickey essays the role of Maggie, offering a distinctive, multi-layered, and deeply sympathetic portrayal of a complex character. At first, Maggie seems like a down-home, almost folksy character who ekes out dignity and pride to her livelihood. But underneath the persona is a powerful, interlocking knot of inner defenses, true convictions and powerful but marginalized emotional undercurrents.
When Maggie discovers the fate of her last meal, and it isn't received in the spirit in which it was intended, it seems to loosen up deep reservoirs of emotion and memory, making for a quiet yet devastating denouement, not just for her work but also for her unresolved feelings.
LAST REQUESTS riffs off the actual demise of the last meal program in Texas in 2011, when a notorious inmate on death row for an infamous hate crime ordered a large, extravagant meal for his last meal and refused to eat it when it was served, saying that he wasn't hungry. Taking this as a jumping-off point, the short offers an indelible, poignant portrait of a woman who finds pride in her work, despite its proximity to a difficult, thorny issue, as well as the unspoken unfinished business of her own life. - Фільми й анімація
That woman is such a good actress I thought I was watching a documentary until the younger girl started talking.
me too!!!
I did too...
I thought so too
Exactly!
same
"it's the last thing he's gonna taste"
Something about the way she said it made me emotional.
I was more affected by him killing little kids.
it just made me wanna cry. this woman truly cares,
@@user-od4zo1ow6d Even killers are someone's child.
Roy English and?
i mean it's not like he's gonna be able to remember it
i think the most effective way to make someone regret what they did is to show them kindness that the world never did.
yeah because any murderer will eat a good meal and be like “Damn why did i kill those kids”
@@user-zb7kd3xj8z a burger from culver’s definitely would
I agree they realize last minute their decision is making them miss out on life
Be the better version of yourself is the best revenge
That's exactly why I don't argue with anyone. I know eventually either myself or them will realize fault and apologize.
The last meals that she makes with so much love and care, is not because the people to eat them are "human" but because SHE IS HUMAN.
You are right..I love Southern people like Miss Maggie
That's a good one.
@Matthew Galati I am so glad to find out by your comment that you understood.
Exactly.
@Eynis Rose Varda True
The way the prisoner's legs gave out on him twice, and the guard took that moment to comfort him as best he could. I thought that part was very powerful.
Sariah The most captivating part from that moment for me was how we don't get to know what the guard said, but in the end we know it was good enough to make the prisoner get back up again
@@JM-lh8rl Exactly! We can only guess
timestamp?
jaedah esteban 15:35
The guard said, "couple more steps and then you wont ever have to use them". (Meaning when he's executed, he doesn't have to worry about using/walking with them legs)
I haven't seen anyone point out how she says "its what he would've wanted" in regard to making this particular meal despite the form from the prisoner being blank. Her husbands last meal was just an egg sandwich. HE would've wanted this southern comfort food and a pie from his wife to top it off. Her default meal is what she couldn't give to her late husband in his final moments...
Wheew Omgeeeee thank u bcuz i waz done searching thru these comments 😊💚😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Read the discribtion on the video, and you will get it.
But he wasn't a murderer
@@salmaabdullahgb If that's your take away from this, you missed the entire point. Congrats.
@@salmaabdullahgb Yeah? He got to the hospital too late for a dinner order and ended up with an egg sandwich as his last meal before dying. We watched the video. What's your point of mentioning it?
Crazy because folks have the same opinions about feeding the homeless. I Have cooked for the homeless a Thanksgiving meal for the past 9 years. When I started they used to just dump stuff out of cans. I was appalled. A person's standing in life make them no less of a person. That was the message. Humanity has to start winning out in all circumstances. Powerful film!!
You are a beautiful soul 🌹
I'm well aware that some homeless people are not what they seem, that they are scrounging etc etc. but I figure me giving them a £1 now and then isn't going to break my bank and it might just help them.
Imagine how hard it is for the guard to walk that food every day. To know you're bringing someone's last meal to then, to watch it get thrown around, having to return it, watch them eat it with lifeless eyes, to carry the person to their death. No matter what, death still pays heavy on you
Executions are rarely a daily occurrence, even in Texas.
Keep reminding yourself what they did to deserve it.
I think that guard couldn’t be trusted… i believe he might have never brought the inmate the food…
@@ms.annthrope415 it doesn't really help though. Death is still unsettling
@@1monarara I think he did and the DR man couldn't eat it.
That was extremely moving. The older actress was so good I didn’t think she was acting for the first half almost.
Me too. Dang FOR A MOMENT I THOUGHT THIS IS A DOCUMENTARY.
Her name is Dale Dicky, a very talented actress.
Je-yah xcvii97je yeah me too
I thought so as well. The acting is so fluent and it’s feels like a real conversation between two real people.
She is that good in everything she does. I always believe her performance.
No matter how heinous the crime is, when you're 5 minutes from dying and you know it, you come to your senses. You're terrified.
What's your point though?
@@msanne4787 why does there have to be a point of a perfectly fine statement?
@@annalynsaysgoodnight doesn't have to be
You're reading my comment as a criticism. It's not meant that way
@@msanne4787 okay, sorry.
he was fine killing those children without being terrified
My grandma worked as a cook at a jail and she tells me stories of what happened , she told me all the food they used to have the inmates were or rotten or very poorly made , she was the head cook so she changed everything around and made it good and the inmates and guards love her because of the food she made.
what a sweet lady
this is passion
Bless your grandma💕
Woaaw ! A real angel !
in my jail time the inmates do the cooking from head cook down to vegi prep
My grandmas last meal before she died of cancer was her birthday cake :(
So sorry for your loss
@@npgzyr0k698 i get trolling people but this is a little too far a lost one hurts so dont make fun of it pls
@@npgzyr0k698 seriously?
I’m sorry for your loss😔 My great grandma died a few weeks ago at 98 years old, and idek what her last meal was. She passed away on my late great grandpa’s 100th birthday tho, so that made me feel a bit better.
@@npgzyr0k698 yeah, and not a single person here is laughing
the younger girl was annoying. it’s not that old woman’s fault what those criminals did. literally all she’s doing is cooking one meal for them. like jesus you’re acting like she did the crimes herself.
i hate those kind of people who want to force thier views and opinions on others
Yep, i was yelling inside like, "wtf it's your job to cook, if you don't like it better be at mcdonalds cooking fries"
honestly I get your point, but also understand the younger girl when you think about a horrible person getting better treatment in his final moments than all the people he did those horrible things to it is difficult to separate your emotions, especially thinking what if he did that to my kid. I think the movie did very well in portraying those two sides.
@@TheWorldIsFlat He is a young man being put to death for his crimes. Let him have his last meal! That womans child was not killed so she is being unreasonably annoying! Like just quit or stop complaining
@@eyalreiss294 that was the point the movie was trying to make I think, does not mean that seperating your emotions about such a horrendous crime is easy. I think the death penalty should just not exist so thats a whole other point all togheter.
At the job interview...
So, you're a cook?
Yup.
A good one?
No one ever complained. They all died.
Thats terrible
ly hilarious
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
@@templerunnoob4675 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
😅😅😅😆😆😆🤣🤣🤣
Dale Dickey is such a formidable actress. She's the kind of actress that is so underrated, she can play literally anything.
She is one of the greats. I will watch something if she is in it.
She was also the “skank ass skank” in Breaking Bad that crushed her husbands head with an ATM machine lmao
Shes always getting type cast as the suthenuh ... Which she always knocks out of the park ... But as an artiste if SHE WANTS as well lol...
I'd love to see her written parts in varying characters of different walks of life ..
My father died the day after thanksgiving a few years ago. He had cancer, and there was nothing to be done. I didn't know that at the time, but despite my father's declining health, he tried his best to keep my baby brother and I happy. On the day of thanksgiving, the hospital gave him a small turkey dinner. He didn't want it, and wanted us to have it. The next morning, we woke up to my grandmother telling us to get dressed so we could hurry to the hospital. When we got there, he was gone. We didn't make it in time to say goodbye. More than anything, I wish I could've shared one last meal with him.
This woman is too good for the world, and she deserves so much.
Sorry for your loss
I'm so sorry for your loss, I hope your doing okay now.
Family meals are my favorite, it's the company. We could all be eating instant noodles for all I care.
The way the guard was acting like he was tough and insincere the whole time, but then the part where he comforted dude on the ground, that was deep....
I know! I respect the deep and dynamic characters in this short film. They exceed your expectations. By the way this film was based on a short story written by Courtenay Johnson. I read it and it's just as good as the film!
@@youoweyoupay I'll definitely have to check that out! Thanks!
_neverreallyover_ amen. my husband is an leo and it is certainly draining! god bless you all
@Zane Burns yea keep judging so much on evil men but sound just like them the irony?
@Zane Burns sounds like he said "jesus loves you" to me.
i really thought this was a documentary for the first 5 minutes..
i thought i was high but then i saw other people saying the same thing. incredible short film jeez
Well I am high so that wasn’t in the question for me ahhahaha but I too thought it was a documentary until the other lady started talking all poetic 😂
It’s really really good though !
When she first started talking I thought omg this would make a great series 😯😆 and then the second lady started talking. 🤔
Guessing none of you have seen breaking bad? Lol
bro i was thinking about moving to texas, but if i ever kill someone AKA:i wont, IM ILLEGALY MOVING LIKE IM A DAMN MEXICAN BRO WE CAN ALL MAMACITA BURRITO BURRITO lol
Also I love that the guards weren’t trying to give him a hard time in his final moments
The younger lady obviously doesn’t want to cook a meal for the inmates, she’d rather give them food poisoning. She’s way to emotional to do the job and She keeps bothering the older woman just trying to actually do her job.
Food poisoning? Bro they’re gonna die lmao
@@MojoRisin556 she’d cause them additional (and as the state declared it, unlawful) suffering. It’s not her place to hurt them-they’ve already been tried and sentenced. She’d also probably find herself facing criminal charges.
Yeah I mean did she have to be there if she didn't want to be? Ms Maggie's actions weren't hurting her
I think she was thinking about their sins and condemning them for it with her attitude towards their depravity. The older lady knew it wasn't her place to condemn. It was her place to bring peace. Hate the sin not the sinner.
@@adrianboight4222 I'm not upset with the younger person. I'm not upset at anyone involved. And you don't know me. You don't know how giving or forgiving I am in real life . For whatever reason you are getting upset with the commenters for analyzing the short film and it's characters, I wish you peace 👌🏽 my friend
The whole time Im thinking the plot twist will be that its her sons last meal
Yup.
Same
That's how I interpreted it. At around 11:00 the younger woman found out that the death row inmate's order was blank and yet the older woman was preparing a specific meal. Roasted chicken, broccoli, mashed potatoes, and a piece of pie. To me, it seems as though she was preparing the inmate's childhood favorite.
Yes! I was thinking the same thing !!
@@yodhjaminong3846 "it's what he would have wanted". Ambiguous, could be referring to her late husband or personal knowledge of what the inmate/possibly her son would have wanted.
Last meals tell us nothing about the man who eats them, but tells us everything about the society willing to cook for them.
Lim Justien I hope so.
omg this
the woman helping broke her spirit. the actress cooking had a gift, and it got ruined by that younger woman helping.
And willing to execute them.
To cook for them yes. But also to kill them. I know that they’re criminals and what they did was wrong. But even so, does that make killing them right?
I never really thought about some of the issues around last meal. The cost, the last meal of the victims, what someone might do with the last meal, the emotional toll on the person or persons preparing it. This was a very moving piece.
This was great. Our society is absolutely OBSESSED with punishment. If only we were half as interested in prevention and healing.
I think we are very interested in prevention and healing, but it is not only the perpetrator who needs it. And sometimes, unfortunately, we cannot heal the perpetrator or prevent the crime. Personally, I hate the death penalty, but I also realize that somerimes there may be no appropriate alternative.
@@joannleichliter4308 We have study after study proving that social programs and people first community design is better at preventing violent crimes than threat of violence from the state via police or imprisonment, yet we choose to go the route of additional police funding, additional prison construction, et al.. We don't want to prevent, we want to see it happen, so that punishment can be spectacle, sport, and more.
that is the way societies work on a macro level. crimes have to be seen to be punished. in many ways, the persons being punished is not the point, it for those looking on, that how humans work.
@@nadrojholmes204 where are these studies? You have a source or we supposed to take your word?
@@nadrojholmes204 People first community design like the CHAZ in Seattle? Like defunding the police in Chicago only to watch the murder rate go up 300% in a few short weeks? There are no proven studies that social programs are better than policing.
Maybe I'm wrong? (not) If so, send links to said studies!
if "hating the sin not the sinner" was a person
You can hate the sin and not the sinner only if the sinner is 100 percent sorry for what they did. Then they would no longer be the "same person" who committed the crime.
Everyone is a person.Who hasn't sinned?
@@peggyfranzen6159 I agree with you but that's not the meaning of the sentence. there's a saying that no matter how big of a sin a person has committed u shouldn't hate the sinnER but the sin. So the lady here feels bad for the guy even tho he commited such a big crime. SO the lady hates the SIN not the guy. So she's the human version of the saying.
@@ReasonAboveEverything Doesn't that defeat the purpose of the saying in the first place?
The point is to not *hate* anyone in the first place, no matter if the are regretful
You can still forgive but be cautionary of the person and still think they deserve punishment
But hating them is useless, just hurts yourself more than the person who wronged you
Love the good deed, not the person who did it.
I've seen the old lady in several movies, she's a professional actor.
Woooooooooooowwwwww. 👏🏿👏🏿She's so good, it came natural onscreen.
She's actually not that old.
@@raziax9603 she's old compared to to other characters.
@@bananamonkeygaming14 you do have a point to make.
@@cinder4614
Yes! Thank you!! Dale Dickey is her name. She's sublime
How normal the scenes look at first sight. You could nearly call the atmosphere cozy, but not quite. Very fulfilling decor and surroundings. What an incredible performance from Dale Dickey's part. It was almost palpable, the nurturing nature of the character coming to life in the dishes she prepared. Really powerful, I hope she makes many more appearances on the screen, small or big!
On the one hand, you really feel for the inmate about to die. He knows it's going to happen, and there is nothing he can do to stop it.
On the other hand, the inmate killed innocent children, hence putting himself in this predicament in the first place.
It's just one of those things where it's tragic, no matter which side you're looking at it from. 💔
Couldn’t have put it better myself
15 people, most of them kids
I felt for Miss Maggie so much; every meal she prepared for a death row inmate was her way of giving her deceased husband Derrick a proper meal. Very powerful!
This comment deserves a comment 👍
That's really not it. It's maybe part of why she changed her view, but it'll seems more that she simply hates the sin, and hopes to give some peace to the sinner in their final moments.
New Zealand here I agree with you
Don't get why people use powerful like that. Say touching or admirable.
Sabri. What she said about her husband having an egg salad sandwich in hospital rings true even in the UK 🇬🇧. The last meal my late father had in the nursing home was fish on toasted bread. And I know he never ordered that as he hated fish !!
Oh. She just retired, I thought she's dying too.. my bad
Same here
I wasn’t know tilll I read this.. thanks 😍👌🏻
I thought she was gonna end up cooking her own last meal and get executed
WHJDJWNDJWNDJNWDNWD ME TOOO
I thought the guy was her son
I thought the plot twist was going to be that the meal she was cooking was going to be for her son.
I thought it was going to be for herself - after having poisoned hundreds of prisoners.
Me too.
It is her son
@@carrieanncancino5118 How do you know? I'll have to watch it again cause I didn't get that impression.
I was in the musical "Oliver" with "little" Dale Dickey when she was only 8 years old. (I was 15 at the time)
It was apparent, even at that young age, that she was destined for greatness.
She is awesomely awesome in this film; so happy to see her again!
Thank you for another fabulous short!
As always, Amy xo 😊 ❤ 😊
That's so beautiful she's a stunning actress she made me cry watching this and I have a heart of stone she's incredible do you still keep in contact with her?
@@princesspentagram3458 Sadly, no, however I will never forget her!
Thank you for such lovely thoughts... Amy xx
"That woman" is named Dale Dicky!! Shes a phenomenal actress w many years of note worthy performances under her belt!! I live for her supporting roles!! When u see her face in anything, u pretty much know is gonna be a good ride!!
Thank you for knowing her name, I remember her face but not her name and she is AMAZING!
I remember her performance in Unbelievable. She is truly an amazing actress! One of the top most convincing actors I’ve seen so far!
Shes really good at acting
@@Spalbeert lol in the south names r like that and i assume shes from a southern state due to her name and her accent. But anywho i get that. I have an uncle dale so its weird for me too but oh well (im from the south so i know these things XD)
Ryan 17 not really
if you're a cook, you don't care who you're cooking for. You take pride in what you do. And the end when she blesses his food before he gets it ... respect for humanity. I would want someone like this in my life. She's an angel.
this was great . i remember his order included gravy on the mash tho.
it would be hard at first but then easy to get caught up doing what she does...
Fortunately, there are people this kind in my family, specifically my mother. Tho I must admit - I, myself would find it hard to be kind to cold-blooded murderers especially if they tortured/killed innocent people.
Of all the kitchen's, I've never found one the resonated more with myself than this kind of kitchen.
We got people like that but then we also got Karen’s who spit in others drinks
This was me at my job, its not the work its the character you have doing it. Why you do it, and how you handle negativity or defeat in your space. Shes incredibly hardworking and kind, it takes a strong person to uphold those values still being put down by those not willing to look past their emotional judgements.
I can't even imagine what she would be going through. God bless all of the people that do this.
She was actually cooking hers and his last meal... Neither one of them could eat it.
how though she cooked the food right?
Didn't he ate it?
Hers too? How come?
@@jaywestg9248 no.. it showed the cop come back with the meal.
@@msanne4787 If you pay attention to when she's fixing to eat before she dies, it's the food that she fixed the prisoner.
The whole point was she never judged them no matter how they tried to tell her what they had done or allowed her to remember what they had done, she still cooked them the best meal she knew how to prepare, and that's what grace and mercy looks like ❤
it was her son
@@fayadhashim3422 no! It was a ordinary prisoner
When a person has committed a crime so terrible as to receive the death sentence these days, you SHOULD condemn them and a decent person would CONSIDER their victim.
@@dstorm7752 That's one point of view. Another is that being good to someone who doesn't deserve it is an act of grace and that the world would be better off with more grace, and less vengeance.
@@fayadhashim3422 Yeah, there's nothing to support that.
Bravo!!! 👏👏👏 I once saw a documentary featuring a man who cooked last meals and he approached his job with as much respect and seriousness as shown here. He was very somber and handled every detail with reverence. I was in favor of last meals until my daughter married into a family whose only female child was brutally rap-ed and mu-rdered at age 7 by a family friend who was minding the little girl and several brothers while the parents worked. Turns out her last meal was cold canned peas and cold canned corn. I've not been able to support the notion of a special last meal ever since. I'm truly amazed at how something only 18 minutes long can have such a profound and thought provoking impact. Kudos!
Жесть. История этой девочки меня поразила больше, адская боль в груди, вообще не понимаю какое снисхождение может быть к насильникам. Только кастрация с отрубанием рук, и оставить в лесу истекать кровью в мучениях.
Man, I didn’t realize this was a short at first. I was drawn in by the elder woman’s dialogue, once the second actress came into frame, did I realize this wasn’t an actual interview/documentary. Watched it all the way through, loved it.
That guard was giving me bad vibes
@MyGun4hire Prison guards deal with anti social personality disorders day in and day out. Most work overtime since there is such a shortage of guards. Even if we all know there are more innocent people in prison than anyone acknowledges, they get burnt out and jaded. That was his role in this short film.
@MyGun4hire It wasn't over acting, he played his role well. Like the old lady said, he didn't use to be like that, but the job took its toll on him, especially if he often deals with the death row prisoners. Prison guards have one of the most mentally draining jobs there is because they see the worst of humanity every day, and death on top of that.
@@alphahale7668 15:40 At the end of the day, he did whisper into the inmate's ears to encourage him to get up and go on. That is low key compassion shown to man who is about to die; and was his equivalent to the cook's desire to give the inmate one last meal.
Pornstache vibes(from oitnb)
MyGun4hire no, he did fine.
“They’re human beings waiting for their own turn to die”.
Sammy Slaughter i won’t matter any way though
Should have never murdered in the first place
@Sammy G you say that's all of us, but they now exactly how they're gonna die for a while, that must be so horrible... At least when we die we either won't realise before it happens or we'll hopefully go in a hospital bed...
hm i wonder why people think life is so black and white. Dont do this dont do that, I guess one has to wait till everything is taken from you if your still sane till then you have made it. If one suicides its also against God , if one tattooes its also against God. Just a lot of things it is.
@@alecrosewell6959 um, I'm not reading all that sooo
I have respect for anyone that takes their job seriously. No matter what it is doing.
This AMAZING lady is Dale Dickey and she is an AWESOME actress! She has over 127 credits to her name including Winter's Bone w/ Jennifer Lawrence, Hell or High Water w/ Chris Pine, Son's of Anarchy, Iron Man 3 etc. INSPIRING lady!
So im rewatchin this.. Things i have taken note of.
1. That young woman is too sensitive to work there. It's a job. You don't have to feel for your client. You just have to cook it. If she cannot cope, she should leave.
2. The passion the elder woman has for her job is beyond admirable.
3. Guard is still creepy.
I like to imagine the younger one growing to be like the older woman. With a job like that, you change and get wiser. Or least you get less emotional and unfazed.
@@andreavelez4968 she can't they're getting rid of the program 🤣
@@SUGAR-mc4em yep 😂😂😂 the usual helper already got laid off so she got asked to help
Old lady said she was just like her when she started
@Charlene Robertson He said the young lady should leave not the old one that had the passion, learn to read.
This chef treated a deaths row, inmate who killed 15 people , food with respect and doesn’t spit or use bad old food but restaurants chefs in your local area will spit in your food for simple complaints
I have worked as a server for 12 years, and have never spit in anyone's food, or seen any of my coworkers do so.. get real.
@@caitlinweedon4011 they where ever tf your from but I’ve seen several cooks spit in peoples food and get the restaurant cited and or shut down…get real🤡
@@everyFuckingUsernameWasTaken haha that hasn't happened to me or anyone I know but go off
@@sarahrundall just because it’s never happened to you or your friends don’t mean it don’t exist. You’ll find plenty videos of workers spitting online/confessing.
@@user-rp1bi1ui5k I worked in fast food for 2 1/2 years and it never happened once where I worked. Not one time
I felt emotional because she (Miss Maggie) had so much empathy and mercy for the Death Row inmate. She not only cooked, just because it was her job, but she cooked without any reservations and she even prayed for the inmate. Man, I think no matter now terrible things some people have done, we’re all sinners since none of us are perfect and we are basically fundamentally flawed in our own ways. I think we should show a little more humanity and mercy towards people who have done wrong. And maybe, just maybe, they may be moved by our kind actions and they may be converted, even in their last moments on Earth.
It's disappointing how there isn't more support in your statement.
My other half has been saying for years that our society needs to understand empathy better. He puts this concept at the highest priority when it comes to teaching our kids. I have extended on his theory, in that as the kids mature, the basic concept could be expanded by introducing them to the complexities that empathy allows for us to grow.
@@fadingfrost2617Because people are simply not buying the idea that death row inmates are mere victims of society and require more mercy than what they had reserved for their victims. The level of disproportionately that distinguishes a grandeur last meal for the final satisfaction of the senses, from the deliberate and grotesque elimination of another person's life... I understand why people are no showing support. But underlying it is the idea that we are a moral society that sets itself apart from people who are destined for what we wish the bottom of hell for.
@@stevennguyen4993exactly.. one bad act doesn't justify another bad act.. just because someone is a evil monster doesn't mean we can't show empathy.. we as humans must maintain our humanity even in the face of evil.. thats how u show the difference
People pray for forgiveness yet they don't forgive and still believe they are going to heaven. Hypocrisy at it's best.
@@onnislee1 Making a mistake and praying to their deity is not the equivalent to massacring children on the park
I love this actor. Known her for years. So, SO talented. I learned to appreciate short films several decades ago. They are marvels of concise and powerful storytelling. I love them!
the old lady was literally just trying to do her job SHE GOT HIRED FOR like the other lady needs to chill omg
Just do your damn job, lady....
If she's gonna be bitching then she shouldn't have taken the job. Do an online rant, a ted talk or something, idk.
Kitten Mimi thank you
She wasn’t stopping her from doing the job, she herself was helping cook, she was just saying not to be sooo meticulously perfect with the food because the person they’re serving is horrible, personally I think they shouldn’t be fed anything eighth before it.
It's a bit deeper than that if you watch the whole thing...
@@Userfulpo you should actually make it the best sort of meal, something they'd wish to repeat. Because they won't be able to. Because then they'll see just what they could've had if they didn't do what they did.
"Texas banned last meal requests" I'm from Texas, I'm also a culinary student. I wish I had this woman's job, honestly...
But why they banned it?
@Babycakes Delarosa A choosing beggar. At least eat it to show some respect for the chef...
Meenakshi Singh Yeah, they banned it supposedly because of that guy. But really it’s an “expense.” They now just give them a standard last meal. It’s actually still quite a lot of food. It’s suspected that they got rid of the program because this way they can order last meal ingredients in bulk and save money. Everything is about money. They just needed an excuse to get rid of it. To be fair, a lot of inmates order last meals and don’t really finish them. Your stomach is in knots and you order your last meal a few days in advance. We don’t know if the prisoner meant it as a final screw you or not.
That's horrible. Every person should have the right to their last request meal. It's the last human thing they get to taste.
@@thediabeticpup Many homeless die each year. Do they get a last meal? Prisoners are treated better than the homeless.
1. I recommend watching first before reading the comments. It’s really a nice short.
2. Spoiler alert! If you click on the description arrow, the story is fully explained.
can't remember the guy's name but one time someone requested "the Neverending meal" so for as long as he kept eating he stayed away from lethal injection.
Hating the sin but not the sinner, is the resounding message i get, beautiful all round with oscar quality performances😥
So true!
he literally and willingly shot children to death, gtfoh with ur romanticizing and trivializing murder
@@juliiouus96 no normal person can do that. He was obviously mentally not well. Do I say we forgive him? Not at all. But let's not lose our humanity. We're supposed to be the sane ones.
Right...We as followers of Christs say we are not to judge...so you do your job because in all things we do it to the glory of God...
Yes!
Plot twist: the old lady is imagining her younger self and the thoughts she had to deal with
You are on to something. Heck, that could be it.
Bro
YES
aha yes i thought that too fs
Nope because the officer saw her but that’s one hell of a thought
I thought this was a documentary at first because her acting was so good! Then I remembered I’ve seen her somewhere else. I want to see her in more roles!
She put good old hospitality into them meals, something you do not see in many places, especially jails/prisons. We need more people with compassion. That young girl needs a lesson on compassion.
That woman’s acting was so good at the start I thought this was a documentary
I love her sense of reverence toward her fellow human no matter how bad. She's truly an Earth angel and deserving a special place in heaven.
The true test comes if you are the victim.
What she did is what Jesus has taught us to do...or has tried to teach us. That is truly the way to heaven
You know this isn't real right
Please people! This isn't about being religious or evangelical. This is about being humanistic. Get a grip!! Beyond any and all religion's, this is about humanity?
God is love, if you have Love in your Heart you have God in your Heart and for me it's as simple as that 💙
This channel has shown me that indie short films are far superior to anything coming out of Hollywood these days.
Kudos to Allen for bringing these to us.
"What do you think you're doing?
...that's the last thing he's gonna taste!"
The compassion I felt from her🥺
edit: The younger woman argued that she shouldn't make the meals perfect because of the heinous acts the criminals commited. But, they're about to die, they're getting what they deserve and I rolled my eyes when she questioned why this great lady is cooking. She just loves to cook. And that is that.
Even though he didn't ask for it, and despite his crime, That woman still made his a lovely dinner and prayed for his soul. The actress didn't give off the feelings that she was acting and it felt like this was real. Absolutely amazing
Right!
well said
Yes, she's a good actress.
Her name is Dale Dickey, and she's actually been in a good amount of stuff! Check her out
@@alannacarlson6715 thank you for the info! I'll do that
The prisoner did not eat his meal because he was about to die. No look of remorse. He was scared of death,so how could he eat? The old woman changed her outlook on the job, because of her husbands death. She said his last meal was a egg sandwich. Because he got in late to his room he could not order. So he had the food that was ordered from the last individual in that room. Her husband loved Chops and steaks. Stick to your bones home cooking.
So she makes up for it, by preparing last meals for the murderers, to ease that little guilt inside her. Hence why she could not eat her meal. The prisoner declined to eat his meal. To her it may have been a bad Oman. She technically in a sense had the meal from the patient before. She could not stomach eating a dead man's meal. As her husband had, before his death.
Very intuitive. I believe you've touched in her main issue. She's such a beautiful person. People like that deserve a special place in heaven.
Are you a preacher?
noice one :D I think you're on to something Candice!
Candice S. woah.
What difference does it make?! Preacher, prophet, ordinary person, truth is truth.
Its a statement affording them a request that they didnt afford to their victims...it elevates the executioners and hopefully makes the killers think
Yes think about it til they die like 30 mins later which makes thinking about it and "changing" in 30 mins useless
@@eroith5133 it just makes them realize there is goodness in this world they were not a part of...maybe they won't remember that in the next life, but maybe they will
@@mysmirandam.6618 I have never thought of it in this way. That's actually beautiful ❤️
The way Dale Dickey's character extends grace to the damned through her work in the kitchen, it's biblical in proportion in that you feel her sense of serving others without judgement, be they the Saint or the sinner...and even prays over the food....sheesh...I always thought I was a relatively devout person person that wants and tries to practice grace, but I fall miles short , and couldn't live up to an example like what we see displayed in this story. It's also not lost on me how perhaps the love and grace the cook pours into her work could potentially affect those sentenced to die in that it jogs a memory or reverie that invites a sense of regret and repentance for all the life they will now miss because of their actions, where perhaps heretofore, the guilty may have felt nothing. This is great work here, and definitely very thought provoking.
i love how at the beginning she makes it look like she's casually talking to herself but then the camera goes over to the girl she's talking to
I think that was the last meal she ever cooked for a convict, based on the conversation about the program ending. I think she ended up changing the young woman's perspective, even the guard's. This was a well-done film about opposing views.
I think the guard didn't change his perspective, he's already have that perspective, she simply reminds him that for her steadfast conviction. She said that he didn't used to be act like that, signifies that she knows him for a long time and the job takes the toll on him but on the inside he's still the same person. It's just that his job always involving himself directly with the worst versions of human daily before they got put out so he have a more stronger feeling about it but in the end he could not help but to take pity of these inmates even a little bit. I think she didn't really change his perspective but more like her act reminds him of his old, more pure self.
Exactly! It was her last meal because Texas stopped giving last meals to prisoners (hence the words at the end). I don’t think that the convict was her son either. At least, I hope it wasn’t. I feel like the inmate being her son would take away from the message she was trying to teach the younger girl and us the audience. That all people deserve some measure of compassion in the face of death and that one last meal “ain’t hurting nobody.”
Dale Dickey has got so much character that even sitting there blinking gives out an emotion
Thank you for all of the Ms.Maggie's out there. God bless you.
*i guess everyone has their own way of eating McDonald’s*
Can we just talk about how amazing she is though
she's just good hearted, I guess.
*mcdonald’s is amazing though...*
@@tyler.muffin6027 cap
@@tyler.muffin6027 I feel so sorry for you. you've eaten the worst food to think that McDonald's is amazing. I hope someone cooks you something decent.
ah no no is crap you should try Mexican food
The priest is such an important character in this film. No one bats an eye at a priest giving last rights but they scoff at a chef cooking someone their last meal. How is it one is respected and the other condemned?
ppl believe that anything we actually experience with our body is devoid of any sanctity, usually the same ppl who believe the earth and its contents r dead things God put here for us to "use as we will".
I imagine in reality the chefs/cooks are treated with respect by staff. Texas did away with the last meal request because the requests were getting burdensome...like whole lobsters and expensive caviar. Also, while you shouldn't begrudge a meal, they didn't do anything to earn a special treat, and food in prison is seen as a reward/punishment system. Hence the commissary privileges and also nutri-loaves for prisoners in lockdown.
I think in texas, it was because some people would ask for expensive food then not eat it.
Andrew Sav, great question. The obvious answer is that one is seen as a human right since most of the world holds some religious view. Your question intrigues me and I want to engage people in a discussion about it. Did you ever see the documentary Serving Life? It’s about a hospice program in Angola prison. Raised some very interesting questions about human rights vs rights of prisoners.
@@sarahoshea9603 A sad and ugly view of the physical world.
This is by far one of the best short films I've seen on this channel, and there are many quality good short films here.
26 years as a correctional officer in Minnesota I learned to separate the human need of the person from that of the crime they committed. Just recently retired I don’t regret the job I did and the way I treated the many of lives that came thru the doors.
The look of absolute disgust on my face when she went to cut that moldy lemon..... dear lord
My best friend would tell me stories of juvie back in the 90s and then using moldy ingredients to make sludge. Nasty conditions all around.
I read it just the moment omgg
I actually thought it was some kind of opened up boiled duck egg.
I thought she was cutting the mold off
I asked the dear lord for your insta
I cried when she was praying even though I’m not religious
Dhjenddhdk Same, it’s not the act of prayer but rather that prayer displayed a compassionate side that even the guard was affect enough to pass that behavior when he was escorting the prisoner
That got me. I'm a Christian and felt ashamed.
For some reason, out of every part of the movie, that part made me cry to, I don't know why fully, but I just started tearing up as well.
@@loganhensley4748 Maybe it's a call from God to get closer, you still have time but not alot🤗🙏🏾...much love (I'm assuming you're not a believer?)
How do you know if you're truly not religious though?
One of the most powerful films I've seen..it cracked something open in me...already an empath..cried for a long time...thank you
I keep coming back to this one every few months or so. There’s this inexplicable draw to it, fascinating film.
Thought I recognised the actress. Dale Dickey. She's the withered hooker in *"Breaking Bad"* amongst other things. She's damn good here.
wow, never even thought of that
And the hooker on "My name is Earl"
No, she's not Wendy from Breaking Bad, she's the woman who pushed the ATM onto her husband's head, cuz, "She ain't no skank!"
Wow! Nice Catch, Doc! I’m from the south, so her whole look & accent was very 20-45 mins to the south/west/north of my house, but I thought I’d seen her on screen before...or maybe when I handed cash across the counter for fuel. Did you pin her down during the episode or afterward, while seeing the credits? thanks for sharing your finding, Doc.
Young Irish Patty was her name on that show
If you're paid to do a job, you do it and you do it well. How well you do the job is a reflection of you, as a person, not a reflection of the client. They have the right to not like the person they were cooking these meals for and they are justified, but if they accepted the job, then they need to do their job.
@TheDodicat blaming leadership for a half assed job on your part is just blaming others for your incompetence
They shouldn't let their emotions get in the way of their job performance.
I've seen the leading actress, Dale Dickey, in quite a lot of movies and TV series, always in supporting roles. I'm glad she got to be in the front of this movie. She played very well! If I didn't recognize it could feel like a documentary.
When the mass murderer dropped to his knees on the way to his death, all I could think of was the mothers who dropped to their knees in agony when they were told their child had been shot dead on a playground. He deserved his fate. The children did not.
Just because their monsters doesn't mean we have to be. I really feel that's the message the older lady was giving and I agree.
Hello_Kitty_ Care_Bear exactly, it’s just really really pre-meditated murder.
The woman was there to do a job and she did it well, if she didn’t she would be fired and not get payed. Who shes cooking for makes no difference.
This was what I was looking for!!!
@@strxwberrysoda05 so does that mean that killing is an unforgivable sin? Not in the eyes of God.
@@imie5762 And what about the ones who were innocent?
So her husband died in the hospital and wasn’t allowed a last meal... based off timing of entrance?! This whole short film is amazing.
When I've been admitted to the hospital late in the afternoon or evening the nurses just have to scrounge whatever snacks are available in the nursing station fridge--usually a sandwich, crackers or jello. Patients are admitted around the clock but the kitchen staff have regular working hours.
I know right! I've hit the hospital"at the right time"... Several times.... Seems like eating just isn't much of a priority in hospital
@@jimhughes1070 You've to consider it from another perspective, the perspective of the wife/son/daughter/husband/uncle/Grandparent which simple want to take care of their loved ones as good as possible.
Imagine you're a Cook or simple know that you cook certain meals exactly like your Wife like it. Or your Wife simple doesn't like Meal X, she goes into the hospital and the last thing she eats is Meal X before she dies.
It's just the little tiny detail which devastating you even more.
@@DaroriDerEinzige Roger..thanx!
When I heard about one of the cooks on a public radio interview, I thought it was one of the most amazing stories I had ever heard. And I thought it was one of the most loving things you could do for someone off to meet their maker.
Love this actress, I haven't seen her in anything for a while, this brought such a warmth to my heart
She slaved over that stove only to see the food come right back.
Ahzar she didn’t eat it either and he was literally minutes from death, I don’t think she’d be offended.
He didn't order anything, of course he didn't eat it. She wasn't cooking for him, she was cooking what she thinks her husband would have rather had for his last meal than an egg salad sandwich.
@@alxjones the meal would have been requested by the prisoner.
@@garethoneill5676 The young woman said that the request sheet was empty. Therefore, he didn't order anything.
@@controlfreak6767 ohhh thanks for explaining. I didn’t catch that but with the paper on the wall. Her last act is to feed the prisoner, and he doesn’t accept it. This entire thing is so sad.
The older woman is the epitome of “ I’m just here to do my job”. That’s the exact way I’m working through this pandemic. I think about what the person needs and i do what I’m supposed to, feelings aside.
U r amazing u r saving lifes in one way or another
Harry potter
It's the thinking of other's needs that's hard for some...
You are a bright light in this world! Thank you for being you ❤❤❤ you are a rare soul!
Your words are encouraging to me.
This is honestly my favourite film on this channel. The acting is brilliant- as others have said I thought it was a doco until the younger woman spoke. The motifs of food and death combined are so powerful. The humanity Maggie shows toward those most of society have deemed unworthy of this human life is beautiful, and all the more poignant knowing she never got to give the gift of a true last meal to her husband. I just love everything about this film.
I just finished watching “Unbelievable” on Netflix and she’s in that show so I’m glad i randomly came across this, she’s always great! Bless her soul.
Dale Dickey is SUCH an underrated actress, she is amazing! So happy to see her in an Omeleto short 🙂
Oh
17:58
I've seen her in the movie Regression. Great actor.
Yee
Maria Smay, Yes! If I remember correctly she was also on the T.V. series "Christie", back in the 90s, (wow, that ages me😂). She nailed her character in that. Always blown away by her.
The world needs more people like that old woman. Hardworking even if her efforts are neglected. 😔
Jensen K . She is not an “old woman”
Mit Seraffej yes she is
I agree that the world needs more women like her but not because of her work ethic but because of her heart. I think you missed the message of this short. If that is indeed what you thought they might have been trying to convey.
I feel a little differently about this. People would do well to always be loving, thoughful, and considerate. But wasting your time and energy where it is not appreciated or yielding productive results... wouldn't be me.
You wouldn't happen to be a supervisor at Amazon by any chance?
The humanity of the older woman is such a beautiful, precious thing. Powerful film.
Amazing short film and i love the actress and the character she plays. I love her strength and empathy along and how resigned she is
Even when she's angry she's a better actress than anyone at Hollywood
I was prepared to cry over this sweet lady talking about her actual job until I realised this was a short film... and still started crying.
Polished and deceptively simple. The character of the guard in particular takes on more depth as the short progresses. Lovely acting, production and editing.
The way this was done is beautiful brought me to tears, don’t ever stop making shorts
The young girl is getting in my last good nerves.. All she's doing is literally cooking, she didn't commit the damn crimes. In my opinion she feels guilty for what her husbands last meal was.. This was excellent... Crazy how murderers are fine with taking a life but they are scared to die..
Bundy's legs buckled during his last walk, too.
Fr I was literally getting so pissed. Ik it's just acting but the girls disrespect and pestering was too much
@@adorations Gurl needs a police burrito to her mouth to shut her azz 😁👍😂
same lol
Well it’s just how the producers told her to act so I don’t blame the girl, unlike everyone else.
Omg I almost cried when she'd prayed over his food...
Me too. She’s a beautiful soul.
I cried
In our own humility, the best part of us do it for our own humanity. A new subscriber and thank you!