During the sober days of the USSR, a young boy nicknamed Potato discovers his sexuality while fantasizing about living the American dream with his mother, Lena. When Lena signs up to a mail-order bride service, she soon becomes engaged to John, an American man. Mother and son leave their country, and Potato embarks on an adventure that will change the way he sees the world.
With Potato Dreams of America, filmmaker Wes Hurley presents an autobiographical dark comedy, mixing absurdity and lightheartedness within a complex situation of pervasive insecurity. With echoes of Taika Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit in its first half (Jesus Christ is Potato’s childhood imaginary friend) and a self-referential ending that emulates Pedro Almodóvar’s Pain and Glory, Potato Dreams of America is a charming tale with a LGTBIQA friendly spirit that is committed to tolerance and self-acceptance, even within the most restrictive societies.
Credits
Year: 2021
Runtime: 96′
Country: USA
Direction: Wes Hurley
Screenplay: Wes Hurley
Cast: Marya Sea Kaminski, Dan Lauria, Tyler Bocock, Lea DeLaria, Sera Barbieri, Hersh Powers, Jonathan Bennett, Sophia Mitri Schloss, Cynthia Lauren Tewes, James Grixoni
Cinematography: Vincent Pierce
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Subtitles: Anna López, Pascale Trencia, Guillermo Parra
Contact: The Film Sales Company
Wins & nominations
2021: SXSW
2021: Outfest LA
