Potato Dreams of America

Comedy, Drama - 2021 - USA - English - 97 minutes

This is a very different kind of immigration story: Lena and her 9-year-old son, affectionately called Potato, try to escape the harsh reality of their native Vladivostok after the fall of the Soviet Union through American movies. Swept up by the fantasy of a better life, Lena decides to become a mail order bride so she and Potato can go to the US. When they arrive in Seattle circa 1990 to live with Lena's new husband John, Potato and Lena both realize some things in America are even more different than they first appeared. This autobiographical work from  director Wes Hurley mixes humor and heart in a feel-good coming of age story. Starring Dan Lauria ("The Wonder Years"), Lea DeLaria ("Orange is The New Black"), and Jonathan Bennett (Mean Girls).

Premiere: SXSW